Major DEPI Acts
The administration of all legislation is determined by the Premier. The most recent administrative arrangements can be found on the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) web site.
Full text of all Acts can be found on the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website - search "Acts" under Victorian Law Today.
DEPI Acts listed alphabetically:
A - D | E - L | M - R | S - ZAboriginal Lands Act 1991 (38/1991)
This Act authorises the granting to local Aboriginal organisations of freehold titles of cemeteries at the former Aboriginal mission sites known as Ebenezer Mission near Dimboola, Coranderrk Mission near Healesville and Ramahyuck Mission near Stratford. The land is granted for cultural and burial purposes.
Alpine Resorts Act 1983 (9974)
This Act originally established the Alpine Resorts Commission and set out the objectives of the Commission in relation to the development, promotion, management and use of alpine resorts. The Act was largely replaced by the Alpine Resorts (Management) Act 1997. The remaining provisions declare the boundaries to be permanently reserved for alpine resorts and that the resorts cannot be diminished without express provisions of an Act of Parliament.
Alpine Resorts (Management) Act 1997 (89/1997)
This Act provides for the management and use of alpine resorts. The Act establishes the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council and the five Alpine Resort Management Boards.
Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (52/1994)
This Act provides a framework for the integrated management and protection of catchments, establishes processes to encourage and support community participation in the management of land and water resources, and provides for a system of controls on noxious weeds and pest animals. The Act also establishes the Victorian Catchment Management Council and the ten Catchment Management Authorities.
Coastal Management Act 1995 (8/1995)
This Act provides for the development of a Victorian Coastal Strategy and Strategic Planning for the management of the Victorian coast. It establishes the Victorian Coastal Council and three Regional Coastal Boards.
Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Act 2003 (15/2003)
This Act provides for the appointment and objectives, functions and powers of the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability. The Act also provides for the annual report on Environmental Management Systems and the periodic Report on the State of Environment in Victoria and the annual reporting on the implementation of environmental management systems.
Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 (41/1987)
This Act provides for the administrative restructure that originally created the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands in 1983 and it centralised the legislative machinery necessary for the efficient operation of that Department. It provides for the delegation of powers by the Ministers and the Secretary and for public participation in formulation of codes of practice. The Act applies to catchment management, coastal management, crown land management, fisheries management, flora and fauna, forests management, heritage rivers, land, national parks, reference areas and wildlife management. The Act is administered by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change except for the matters which relate to the Fisheries Act 1995 which are administered by the Minister for Agriculture.
Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 (9212/1978)
This Act provides for reservation of Crown land for a variety of public purposes, the appointment of committees of management to manage those reserves and for leasing and licensing of reserves for purposes approved by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change.
Cul-de-sac Applications Act 1965 (7334/1965)
This Act makes provision with respect to applications under Division 6 of Part 4 of the Transfer of Land Act 1958 and is administered by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change insofar as it relates to the management and administration of the Officer of the Registrar-General and the Office of Titles. The Act is otherwise administered by the Attorney-General.
Environment Protection Act 1970 (8056)
This Act establishes the Environment Protection Authority and makes provision for the Authority’s powers, duties and functions. These relate to improving the air, land and water environments by managing waters, control of noise and control of pollution. This Act also creates the statutory office of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and the Environmental Protection Board.
Fences Act 1968 (7733/1968)
This Act sets out the requirements for the construction, maintenance and repair of dividing fences by landholders. It is the responsibility of the Attorney-General except for the special provisions relating to vermin-proof fences in Section 19 which are the responsibility of the Minister for Environment and Climate Change.
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (47/1988)
The Act provides the basic legal powers and the management systems needed for the protection of the State's native species. This Act also establishes the Scientific Advisory Committee.
Forestry Rights Act 1996 (29/1996)
This Act establishes that land owners may enter into agreements with a person to plant, maintain and harvest forest property. This Act also outlines carbon sequestration agreements.
Forests Act 1958 (6254)
This Act outlines that all forest produce in state forest is the property of the Crown. The Act also prohibits the removal of produce from state forest except in accordance with the regulations. Provisions are also made in relation to the development and implementation of working plans for state forest with respect to control, maintenance, protection and taking of produce; fire management in state forests; and outlines offences in state forests. This Act is administered by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change except for section 99(19C) which is administered by the Minister for Agriculture.
Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) Act 1996 (16/1996)
This Act ratifies an agreement between the Minister administering the Forests Act 1958 (Minister for Environment and Climate Change) and AMCOR Limited with respect to the supply of pulpwood for manufacture of wood pulp and for other purposes. This Act also repeals the Forests (Wood Pulp Agreement) Act 1961.
Geelong Lands (Steampacket Place) Act 1996 (30/1996)
This Act creates the opportunity for long-term leases for certain land in Geelong due to the further development of Corio Bay in Geelong.
Geelong Market Site Act 1983 (10025/1983)
This Act facilitates the redevelopment of the market site in Geelong. The site is bordered by Malop Street, Yarra Street, Little Malop Street and Moorabool Street in Geelong.
Geographic Place Names Act 1998 (7/1998)
This Act provides for the naming of places and establishes the Geographic Place Names Committee and the Guidelines for Geographic Names which sets out the procedures and rules to be implemented in selecting, assigning or amending geographic place names.
Groundwater (Border Agreement) Act 1985 (10218/1985)
This is an agreement with the South Australian Government which provides for the establishment of an interstate committee to oversee and manage groundwater resources on the South Australian/Victorian Border.
Health Act 1958 (6270/1958)
This Act relates to the consolidation of law in relation to Public health. The Minister for Environment and Climate Change is responsible for Section 228 and Part XX where it relates to the operation of Section 228 (Precautions against Fire). The Act is otherwise administered by the Minister for Health and the Minister for Community Services.
Heritage Rivers Act 1992 (36/1992)
This Act makes provision for Victorian heritage rivers by providing for the protection of public land in certain parts of rivers and river catchment areas in Victoria which have significant nature conservation, recreation, scenic or cultural heritage attributes.
Instruments Act 1958 (6279/1958)
This Act consolidates the law relating to instruments and securities and includes summary proceeding on bills of exchange, policies and contracts of insurance, bonds, public contract, liens on crops, wool and mortgages of stock, assignment or transfer of book debts and powers of attorney. It is administered by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change insofar as it relates to the management and administration of the Office of the Registrar-General and the Office of Titles. This Act is otherwise administered by the Attorney-General.
Land Act 1958 (6284/1958)
This Act makes provision for sale and occupation of unreserved Crown lands, and authorises the issue of various types of leases and licences. The Act is administered by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change except for certain specified areas of land managed by other agencies such as the Office of Corrections, Courts Services and the Department of Health.
Land Conservation (Vehicle Control) Act 1972 (8379)
This Act deals with control of vehicular traffic on public land in the interests of preventing soil erosion and damage to public land.
Melbourne and Olympic Parks Act 1985 (10206/1985)
This Act was formerly known as the National Tennis Centre Act 1985. The Melbourne and Olympic Parks Act 1985 creates a Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust to administer a national tennis centre and Olympic Park for the purposes of tennis, other sports, recreation and entertainment. It provides for the management, use, operation and promotion of the centre. The Minister for Environment and Climate Change is responsible for sections 24-28 of the Act which deals with the provisions relating to the excision of areas from Flinders Park, Public Park Reserve and Yarra Park. The remaining provisions are administered by the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs.
Melbourne Water Corporation Act 1992 (54/1992)
This Act provides for the corporatisation of the MMBW by establishing the Melbourne Water Corporation. The Act establishes objectives for the Corporation, defines the relationship between the Corporation, the Minister and Parliament, sets out the role of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, and makes provision for the monitoring of the Corporation’s performance.
Murray Darling Basin Act 1993 (39/1993)
The purpose of this Act is to approve, and for carrying out, an agreement entered into between the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia with regard to the water, land and other environmental resources of the Murray-Darling Basin.
National Environment Protection Council (Victoria) Act 1995 (10/1995)
This Act gives legal effect to the Commonwealth, States and Territories Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment setting out certain responsibilities of each party to the Agreement in relation to the environment. This Act provides for the establishment of the National Environment Protection Council which will determine national environment protection measures.
National Parks Act 1975 (8702)
This Act makes provision for National and other parks and for their management, the appointment of a Director of National Parks and the appointment of a National Parks Advisory Council and park advisory committees. It also provides for specialised uses and activities, including those of a non-conforming nature.
Parks Victoria Act 1998 (44/1998)
This Act creates Parks Victoria and makes provision for its powers, duties and functions, which relate to the management of metropolitan, national and state parks.
Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1986 (27/1986)
This Act seeks to protect the sea and certain waters from pollution by oil and other noxious substances and to implement the MARPOL Convention. The Minister for Environment is responsible for Sections 8-13, 18-23 and 23B, 23D, 23E, 23G, 23J, 23K, 23L and 24E. Sections 30 and 47 are jointly administered with the Minister for Roads and Ports. The Act is otherwise administered by the Minister for Roads and Ports.
Reference Areas Act 1978 (9093)
This Act deals with the setting aside and management of Reference Areas, which are areas of special ecological interest and significance. The Act also provides for the establishment of the Reference Areas Advisory Committee to advise the Minister on the control and management of Reference Areas.
Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991 (87/1991)
This Act establishes the Royal Botanic Gardens Board, defines its functions, and establishes a position of Director, Royal Botanic Gardens. The Act provides for the management of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, and the National Herbarium of Victoria.
Safety on Public Land Act 2004 (109/2004)
This Act is to provide for public safety in State Forests by providing for the establishment and enforcement of public safety zones for multiple purposes.
State Owned Enterprises Act 1992 (90/1992)
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change is responsible for Division 2 of Part 2 insofar as it relates to the Victorian Plantations Corporation. The Minister for Water is responsible for Division 2 Part 2 insofar as it relates to the Water Training Centre. The Act is otherwise administered by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the Treasurer.
Subdivision Act 1988 (53/1988)
This Act sets out the procedure for the subdivision and consolidation of land and regulates the management of and dealings with common property and the constitution and operation of bodies corporate. The Minister for Environment and Climate Change is responsible for administering this Act insofar as it relates to the management of the Officer of the Registrar-General and the Land Titles Officer. The Act is otherwise administered by the Minister for Consumer Affairs and the Minister for Planning.
Survey Coordination Act 1958 (6388/1958)
This Act provides for the coordination of surveys in Victoria and the facilitation of co-operation with the Commonwealth in relation to mapping.
Surveying Act 2004 (47/2004)
This Act provides for the annual registration of licensed surveyors, investigations into professional conduct for licensed surveyors, establishment of the Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria, repeals the Surveyors Act 1978 and provides for fees for the maintenance of the survey control network.
Sustainability Victoria Act 2005 (65/2005)
This Act provides for the establishment of Sustainability Victoria and provides for it to be the successor in law of the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria and EcoRecycle Victoria. The Act also provides for the transferring of powers from EcoRecycle Victoria to Sustainability Victoria.
Sustainable Forest (Timber) Act 2004 (48/2004)
This Act is to provide a framework for sustainable forest management and sustainable timber harvesting in State Forests.
Temperance Halls Act 1958 (6392/1958)
This Act consolidates the law relating to lands and building held by the trustees of temperance halls.
Transfer of Land Act 1958 (6399/1958)
This Act consolidates the law relating to the simplification of the title to and the dealing with estates and interests in land. The Act is administered by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change insofar as it relates to the management and administration of the Officer of the Registrar-General and the Office of Titles. The Act is otherwise administered by the Attorney-General.
Valuation of Land Act 1960 (6653/1960)
This Act provides the appointment of a Valuer-General and a Valuers Qualification Board and to make further provisions with regard to the valuation of land by municipalities. Divisions 1 and 2 of Part III and Divisions 4 and 5 of Part III where they relate to the determination of appeals by a Land Valuation Division of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal are administered by the Attorney-General.
Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972 (8350)
This Act establishes the Trust for Nature Victoria (formerly Victorian Conservation Trust) to encourage the acquisition of land of significant conservation value and to help in the conservation of flora and fauna. The Trust provides advice to individual owners and enters into voluntary conservation covenants with landowners.
Victorian Environment Assessment Council Act 2001 (81/2001)
This Act establishes the Victorian Environment Assessment Council to conduct investigations and make recommendations relating to the protection and ecologically sustainable management of the environment and natural resources of public land.
Victorian Plantations Corporation Act 1993 (61/1993)
This Act confers additional functions and powers on the Victorian Plantations Corporation, a State body established under the State Owned Enterprises Act 1992, and makes provision for the management of plantations.
Water Act 1989 (80/1989)
This Act establishes rights and obligations in relation to water resources, provides mechanisms for the allocation of water resources, governs the statutory powers and functions of all water authorities outside the metropolitan area, and provides for integrated management of the water resource and for environmental and consumer protection.
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 (5/2005)
This Act is to provide for water efficiency labelling and for the making of water efficiency standards. Specifically to conserve water supplies by reducing water consumption, provide information to the public on water reducing and water saving products and to promote effective water use and water saving technologies.
Water Industry Act 1994 (121/1994)
This Act provides for the regulation of the water industry, specifically detailing requirements for licensing (water, sewerage, drainage, sewerage treatment or water headworks), transferring of assets, liabilities and staff of the Melbourne Water Corporation and environmental contributions from applicable funds. This Act is administered by the Minister for Water and the Minister for Environment and Climate Change.
Wildlife Act 1975 (8699)
This Act provides for the establishment and management of State wildlife and nature reserves, licences, research and management, wildlife management co-operative areas, prohibited areas and sanctuaries, noxious wildlife, offences, enforcement and legal proceedings, plus the protection of whales as a complement to Commonwealth legislation.
Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995 (106/1995)
This Act establishes the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board and provides for the management and administration of zoological parks and gardens (The Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoological Park and the Sir Colin Mackenzie Zoological Park - Healesville).
