|
home ::
services ::
about ::
contact
In 2002 the Victorian
Government gazetted the State Environment Protection
Policy called Prevention and Management of Contamination of
Land.
This policy defines "Potentially contaminated land"
as land used or known to have been used for industry, mining, or the storage of chemicals, gas, wastes or
liquid fuels.
For planning permits and/or change of
land use, it requires the planning authority (usually the local
council) to:
"require the applicant to provide sufficient information on the
potential for existing contamination to have adverse effects on the
future land use, to enable a decision regarding the suitability of the
site for the proposed use or development."
What this means is that whenever a planning permit is required a
preliminary investigation should be done to determine if the
land is contaminated.
This preliminary assessment may simply be
checking the records of ownership and the history of the site, or as
complete as a comprehensive assessment involving multiple boreholes
and samples.
Local Government calls for testing of soils for contamination will
generally be required when the
land use is to change.
The policy identifies
six land use categories.
|
Category |
Land Use |
Description |
|
a |
Parks and Reserves |
Parks and forested
areas as defined in any Victorian or Commonwealth legislation or
subordinate legislation, or any regions designated by the
Authority or Department of Natural Resources and Environment |
|
b |
Agricultural |
Rural areas involved
in agricultural or horticultural practises. |
|
c |
Sensitive Use |
Land used for
Residential use, a child-care centre, a pre-school or primary
school |
|
d |
Recreation/Open Space |
General open space and public
recreation areas |
|
e |
Commercial |
A range of commercial and business
activities |
|
f |
Industrial |
Utilities and a range of industrial
activities |
When soil is to be removed from a property, then the soil must meet
the criteria as set by the relevant State EPA and soil testing will be required.
The details will vary by state to state.
For more information or
answer to questions relating to your particular site
contact us
here.
|
