Contaminated sites occur when substances present in or on land or water or when a site can cause potential risk or harm to people or the environment. Contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for enquiries or to report contamination.
Regulation of contaminated sites
The Contaminated Sites Act 2003 defines 'Contaminated', in relation to land, water or a site, as:
"having a substance present in or on that land, water or site at above background concentrations that presents, or has the potential to present, a risk of harm to human health, the environment or any environmental value."
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation Manages Contaminated Sites.
Potentially contaminating activities include service stations, landfills, power stations, gasworks and market gardens. Contamination is usually caused by spills or leaks, such as from fuel or chemical storage tanks or poor management practices at industrial premises.
Land owners, occupiers and polluters are required to report known or suspected contaminated sites to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. Reported sites are classified in consultation with the Department of Health, based on the risks posed to the community and the environment, and remediation may be required.
Please contact the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for more information on contaminated sites, including to report a site.