Reporting and managing incidents

If you have a ‘duty to notify’ and you become aware of a pollution incident you are required to report the incident immediately. 

Your duty to report pollution incidents

This ‘duty to notify’ applies to:

  • anyone carrying on an activity which causes a pollution incident – whether or not that activity requires a licence
  • anyone employing someone who is carrying on that activity
  • anyone occupying a premises where that activity is being carried out.

This applies to any incident causing or threatening material harm to the environment.

For more information about the duty to notify, including what must be notified and who must notify, see Duty to notify pollution incidents.

Your duty to prepare and implement pollution incident response management plans

Licensees are required to prepare pollution incident response management plans for each licensed activity.

Emergency Pollution Clean Up Programs

Funding may be available to avoid a delay in cleaning up serious pollution where a responsible party cannot be identified in time. This funding may avoid a delay but the responsible party will ultimately be responsible for all clean-up costs.

For more information: