Environment and resources disputes

We review decisions made by government organisations about the use and development of natural resources such as water, rock, gravel, or sand, or decisions about activities or developments that can affect the environment.

The matters we hear in the Environment and Resources List fall under the following environment and resource management enactments:

Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994
Climate Change Act 2017
Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987
Environment Protection Act 2017
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
Melbourne Strategic Assessment (Environment Mitigation Levy) Act 2020
Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990
Petroleum Act 1998
Plant Biosecurity Act 2010
Water Act 1989

Applications about natural resources

VCAT hears and determines disputes about the use and development of natural resources. This includes licences to take and use water or works licences to construct a bore or dam. It also includes extractive industry work plans and work authorities.

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Applications about protecting the environment

VCAT hears and determines disputes about licenses, permits, registrations, authorisations, notices, Better Environment Plans, financial assurances and site management orders issued under the Environment Protection Act 2017. We also determine disputes about environmental audits and environmental auditors appointments.

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Application for a declaration under environment and resources laws

VCAT has the power to make declarations in specific circumstances, under some environment and resource management laws. Declaration applications are made to resolve disputes about the interpretation of legislation or, in some cases, resolve an application for a permission or authorisation.

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