The new regulations come into effect on July 1.

The new act and regulations represent a significant change in environmental management across Victoria, with a move from prosecution to prevention of environmental damage.

Dairy Australia, in partnership with the UDV and EPA Victoria, is conducting the webinars for dairy farm businesses on what the upcoming changes mean for their day-to-day business operations.

There will be six webinar times to choose from throughout July and August, including a session for large herds.

All sessions will include time for questions, and a recording of the presentation will be available afterwards, along with supporting documents to assist farmers with their understanding of the changes.

The webinars will be presented by Dr Meredith Gibbs of Gibbs Advisory.

Dr Gibbs is principal of Gibbs Advisory, a boutique law firm offering specialised legal advice on matters relating to the environment, planning, water, waste, and climate change, together with online mediation and tailored research and policy advisory services.

She is an expert on environmental law and has previously provided industry briefings to the Dairy Manufacturers Sustainability Council on the new EPA Act and compliance obligations for these businesses.

There will be six webinar times available.

Each webinar will be the same, however the ‘large herd’ webinar will also include information specific to farmers with larger herds who are managing larger volumes of wastes and other materials.

The dates of these webinars are:

. Monday, July 26, 12pm-1:30pm.
. Monday, July 26, 7pm-8:30pm.
. Thursday, July 29, information for large herds, 12pm-1:30pm.
. Friday, July 30, 12pm-1:30pm.
. Wednesday, August 4, 12pm-1:30pm.
. Monday, August 9, 12pm-1:30pm.