This Act consisting of 327 sections divided into nine Parts and completed by five Schedules, has the purpose to protect, restore and enhance the quality of the environment in New South Wales, having regard to the need to maintain ecologically sustainable development; to provide increased opportunities for public involvement and participation in environment protection; to ensure that the community has access to relevant and meaningful information about pollution and to reduce risks to human health and prevent the degradation of the environment. The Act consists of 327 sections and is divided into the following Chapters: Preliminary; Protection of the environment policies; Environment protection licences; Environment protection notices; Environment protection offences; Environmental audit; Investigations; Criminal and other proceedings; Miscellaneous. The Act also deals with waste management and waste prevention to ensure the protection of the environment.
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.