Victorian Marine Pollution Contingency Plan

The Security and Emergency Management Division (SEMD) of the Department of Transport is responsible for reviewing, coordinating and administering the Victorian Marine Pollution Contingency Plan (VicPlan) (PDF, 1.8 MB, 60 pp.) - a whole-of-government approach to marine pollution emergencies.

VicPlan is an integral component of the national arrangements for responding to marine pollution incidents in Australian waters has been prepared in line with the Marine Act 1988.

In addition to VicPlan, individual marine contingency plans for Victoria’s four marine pollution response regions are currently being reviewed.

What happens if a spill occurs

If a spill is beyond the resources of the State, additional resources, including personnel, can be sourced through the national arrangements in place for marine pollution response. If the spill occurs outside State waters (ie. three nautical miles from the coast) the responsibility to manage the incident rests with the Commonwealth.

If a significant spill occurs in State waters, SEMD and a number of State and Commonwealth Government agencies and industry representatives work together to achieve a coordinated and effective response. These agencies include:

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)*
• The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
• The Department Sustainability and Environment
• Parks Victoria
• Victorian ports
• Fire Emergency Services
• Victoria Police
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority
• The Australian Marine Oil Spill Centre

*The EPA is the Regulatory Agency responsible for the investigation and prosecution of pollution in Victorian Waters.