Australia has some of the strictest environmental standards in the world when it comes to the development and operation of desalination plants.

The Victorian Desalination Project complies with a range of Victorian and Federal legislation.

The project has achieved the following approvals:

• Victorian Minister for Planning's Assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978 granted permission to proceed. Details: www.dse.vic.gov.au/planning/environment-assessment
• EPA Victoria issued a Works Approval for plant construction, finding it met the requirements of the Environment Protection Act 1970. Details: www.epa.vic.gov.au/projects/desalination_plant
  
• Federal Minister for Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts approved the project with conditions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Details:www.environment.gov.au
• A Cultural Heritage Management Plan under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (View the Act on the AustLII website)
• Consent under the Coastal Management Act 1995 for use and development of coastal Crown land (View the Act on the AustLII website)
• Permits for taking samples of native flora and fauna for study under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (View the Act on the AustLII website)
• Permits for waterway crossings under the Water Act 1989 (View the Act on the AustLII website)
• EPA will be required to issue a licence for the operation of the plant once it is commissioned under the Environment Protection Act 1970 (View the Act on the AustLII website)

In addition to the government approvals granted, an Independent Reviewer and Environment Auditor (IREA) has been appointed by the Government and AquaSure.

The IREA reviews the design, construction and environmental management of the project as it progresses and operates.