Have your say on how the Territory’s contaminated sites are managed

Released 08/08/2017

The community is invited to have their say on how contaminated land is managed in the ACT.

The Contaminated Sites Environment Protection Policy outlines the requirements for the assessment, remediation, management and audit of contaminated land. It is currently being updated.

The Policy outlines the role of the Environment Protection Authority, government agencies and owners and occupiers of contaminated land. It also explains how the Environment Protection Authority regulates contaminated land and guides owners and occupiers of contaminated land to meet their legal obligations under the Environment Protection Act 1997.
This ensures the ACT meets its national and international obligations relating to contaminated land.

Land contamination can arise from a range of land uses and activities, including commercial, residential, industrial and agricultural, particularly when the land use has involved hazardous substances. If not properly managed, these substances may threaten health or the environment, or current or future land use.

In most cases land contamination is the result of past activities that have been poorly managed or a general lack of knowledge of the potential impacts of certain substances on health and the environment.

Although hazardous substances are now generally managed responsibly, there is still potential for contamination to occur due to unforeseen circumstances, accidents or criminal acts.

The policy is designed to minimise the risk from sites contaminated with hazardous substances. The level of regulatory control over contaminated land reflects the level of risk. For example, the risk from an existing operational service station site with some hydrocarbon contamination is not likely to be as great as a former service station site that is proposed for residential redevelopment.

This policy is one of eight environment protection policies that are reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure they remain contemporary, reflect changes to legislation and are in line with community expectations.

To find out more visit: https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/1564/kw/contaminated%20sites.

Comments close on 27 September 2017.

- Statement ends -

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