The Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) is a key element of Queensland’s environmental legal system. Its objective is to protect Queensland’s environment while allowing for development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains ecological processes (ecologically sustainable development).

The EP Act and its subordinate legislation provides a range of tools to enable this objective to be met. These tools range from providing for a licensing system for environmentally relevant activities (ERAs) (called an environmental authority) through to response tools such as environmental enforcement orders.

Under the EP Act, environmental protection policies may be developed to cover specific aspects of the environment. There are approved policies for the air environment, acoustic environment, and for water and wetland biodiversity.

Table 1: Administration of activities under the EP Act by relevant administration

Legislation amendments

All Queenslanders have a ‘general environmental duty’ (GED) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

In addition, specific activities require an approval from the administering authority in order to carry out those activities. These activities can be characterised as:

• Environmentally relevant activities
• Contaminated land management

The chief executive for the EP Act must report on the administration of the Act each year. See below link for further information.

Key legislative amendments are also detailed on the department’s website.

More information:

• Environmental Protection Act overview
• Environmental Protection Act
• Environmentally relevant activities
• Contaminated land
• Annual reports