FINAL REPORT
Department of Defence
Contamination Hazard
Assessment Tool
Guidance Document
FINAL
17 August 2009
Environmental Resources Management
Australia
Level 3, Yarra Tower, World Trade Centre 1836 Siddely Street, Docklands, VIC 3005
Telephone +61 3 9696 8011
Facsimile +61 3 9696 8022
www.erm.com
FINAL REPORT
Department of Defence
Contamination Hazard
Assessment Tool
Guidance Document
FINAL
17 February 2016
Reference: 0093783RP03
For and on behalf of
Environmental Resources Management
Australia
Approved by: Richard Wolfe ______________
Signed:
_______________
Position: Partner _________________________
Date: 17 August 2009 _____________________
CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION
2
GENERAL FACILITY AND PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION
3
SOURCE
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
HISTORY OF USE OF THE FACILITY
MANUFACTURING AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY
CHEMICAL AND FUEL STORAGE
TRAINING ACTIVITY
WASTE MANAGEMENT
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE
MAJOR INCIDENTS
4
PATHWAY
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
RAINFALL
SOIL
TOPOGRAPHY
GROUNDWATER
SURFACE WATER
PATHWAY DISTANCE
POLLUTION PREVENTION
5
RECEPTORS
5.1
5.2
5.3
ECOLOGICAL
HUMANS
REUSE
4
6
6
8
9
10
10
11
12
13
13
13
14
16
17
19
20
1
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the use of the
Contamination Hazard Assessment Tool (CHAT). The CHAT has been
developed to aid in prioritising the investigation of contamination across the
Defence Estate, particularly where no prior investigations and formal risk
assessment has been carried out. This guidance is based on a working draft
prepared by the Department of Defence (Defence) in 2008 and has been
developed by a Defence working group.
The CHAT is designed to identify and rank potential whole-of-base
contamination hazards associated with a Defence property or base (referred to
as a ‘facility’).
The exposure of humans and the environment to risk from contamination
may be characteristized by a conceptual risk model (CSM), which identifies
the sources of risk, the pathways for migration of contamination and the
human and environmental receptors. The CHAT is composed of three
components: source, pathway and receptor that are used to determine an overall
hazard ranking (referred to as the Hazard Category)
Contamination is caused by the release of chemicals and other hazardous
substances and wastes into the environment above the natural levels. The
source may be a current, or a historical activity, and will typically relate to the
storage of fuels or chemicals, including explosives at the facility, or the use of
fuels and chemicals for maintenance or training activities.
A pathway is a physical characteristic of the land that determines how and to
what extent the contamination will migrate from a source to a receptor. The
transport of contamination by rainfall runoff is an example of a pathway.
A receptor is a human or an ecosystem that may be impacted by exposure to
the contaminant(s). A receptor may be a base resident or worker, or a marine
or terrestrial ecosystem, at the facility or adjacent to the facility.
The CHAT recognizes that the greatest contamination hazard exists at a
facility where all three pollutant linkages (source-pathway-receptor) are present.
For example, a facility which has a historically high level of industrial activity
(source) and an existing pathway for migration of a release of a contaminant
and is habitat for a sensitive Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999
(EPBC Act) listed species (receptor) would rate higher than a facility with the
same listed species but a historical low level of industrial activity.
The CHAT has been developed in the form of a questionnaire (the
Questionnaire). The questions address each of the three components: source,
pathway receptor and the responses determine a Hazard Category.
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Each question is to be answered by yes, no or not known (pull down menu) on
the Questionnaire. This document provides general guidance on the
background to each set of question, as well as a more detailed explanation of
terminology and information sources for some questions. The CHAT applies
a rating (-2 to 3) for each question and the aggregate of ratings for each risk
component of the source-pathway-receptor model is used to assign the Hazard
Category.
The result of the CHAT assessment for any facility is based on information
available at the time of Questionnaire completion and is therefore based on
existing conditions. When additional information becomes available, or a
significant change is made to the nature of the operations at the facility, the
CHAT should be reviewed to determine if the level of Hazard Category has
changed. The Hazard Category should also be reviewed on a regular basis
(say every 3-5 years) in situations where no Phase 1 or 2 environment
assessment has been completed.
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2
GENERAL FACILITY AND PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION
The section identifies the facility and its location. It also provides an
opportunity to provide more detailed comments on the facilities historical and
current uses and any additional information that will be useful to develop a
property profile and assess contamination risks. This section is to be
completed by typing answers directly into the right-hand side under Answers.
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3
SOURCE
Contamination is caused by the release of chemicals and other hazardous
substances and wastes into the environment above the natural levels. In this
regard, the environment is considered to be the land, and the groundwater
underlying the land, the air environment and surface waters, which include
drains, dams, streams and the sea.
A release may be the result of accepted historical practices, current practices,
or accidents and failing infrastructure. Whatever the reason, the chance of
contamination being present is increased by industrial activity involving the
storage, transfer, use and disposal of chemicals or hazardous substances. The
level of risk will also depend on the quantity of a release, which may occur as
a one-off event or a long-term leak from infrastructure, and the nature of the
chemical. Some chemicals will not be particularly mobile in the environment,
whilst others may be particularly mobile and may therefore migrate over a
long distance where the release is large. The Questionnaire is designed to
support an assessment of these source characteristics.
The questions relating to the source have been set out under the following
sections:
3.1

history of use of the facility;

chemical and fuel storage;

training activity;

manufacturing and maintenance activity;

waste management;

other infrastructure; and

major Incidents
HISTORY OF USE OF THE FACILITY
The History of use of the facility is an indicator of the level of activity that has
been undertaken on the facility and the frequency and timeframe of use. This
indicator also relates to the length of time that Defence has operated/used the
Facility/Property.
Note that the questions in this section deal with the general nature of the site
activities and further questions related to more detailed identification of
sources from various activities is dealt with under other sections of the
Questionnaire.
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Has The Facility/Property Been Used For Major Industrial-Style Activities For More
Than 10 Years?
A major industrial activity is considered to include the large scale
manufacture of explosives or ordnance and aircraft or ship maintenance,
including paint shops and engine repair and maintenance workshops. Such
activities are typically associated with the storage or handling of large
amounts of fuels, oils, solvents and other hazardous chemicals. This activity
may have occurred in the past or may be a continuing operation. If these
activities have been in operation for more than 10 years there is a likelihood of
a significant release at the facility.
Has The Facility/Property Been Used For Minor Industrial-Style Or Maintenance
Activities?
A minor activity, such as washing of vehicles, battery maintenance or gun
maintenance is associated with the storage or handling of only minor
amounts of fuels, oils, solvents and other hazardous chemicals and is likely to
be associated with a minor release. Beryllium waste from gun maintenance is
generally undertaken as a dry operation and, for the purpose of the CHAT, is
considered to be a minor industrial activity.
Has The Facility/Property Been Used As A Weapons Training Facility?
A facility may be used solely for weapons training activity or may include a
training activity; in either case this is important to the characteristics of the
source of contamination. A weapons training activity will include weapons
testing, chemical weapons testing ranges, grenade ranges and small arms
firing ranges.
Has The Property Remained Undeveloped?
Major infrastructure, including sealed roads, services and buildings will not
be present at an undeveloped property.
Has The Training Or Industrial Activity At The Facility/Property Been
Decommissioned For More Than 10 Years?
Where a facility has been decommissioned for more than 10 years it is likely
that all fuels and other chemicals have been removed, which will lessen the
likelihood of a residual risk from a release of fuels or chemicals.
Decommissioning of a facility is considered to be effected where training or
industrial activities have ceased, a cleanup has been undertaken to remove
fuels and oils, or waste or UXO and XO, and no further activity is being
undertaken.
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Is The Facility Used Less Frequently Than Once A Month?
Some facilities may be used infrequently (less than once a month) ,such as a
standalone small arms range.
3.2
MANUFACTURING AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY
The Manufacturing and Maintenance Activity is an indicator of the nature and
currency of the activity, and adds to the information provided to the History of
use of the facility section.
Does the Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Manufacture Explosives?
The manufacture of explosives, such as TNT, will typically involve the
storage, use and production of process wastes. TNT is manufactured using
toluene and acids and wastewaters from processing and equipment washing
contain variuos aromatic compounds and inorganic salts, which detrimental
to human health and the environment if relaesed.
Are Chlorinated Solvents Stored On Site and Used For Maintenance Activities,
Paint Workshops Or Metal Cleaning?
This queries the use and nature of solvents that may be used for engine
maintenance or other maintenance activities. These solvents may be White
Spirit, which is a hydrocarbon-based solvent and is similar in nature to jet
fuel, or a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as perchlorethylene (referred to as
Perc) or trichloroethylene (referred to as TCE). Chlorinated hydrocarbons,
such as TCE, are toxic and particularly persistent in the environment. They
are also highly mobile and will rapidly disperse into the soil and groundwater
when released. In this regard a significant release of TCE may widely impact
both the land and groundwater for 50 years or more and hence both current
and historical use of chlorinated hydrocarbons is relevant to the assessment of
risk.
3.3
CHEMICAL AND FUEL STORAGE
A number of Defence facilities provide for the storage and transfer of large
quantities of fuel, typically in bulk above-ground or below-ground storages,
as well as refuelling facilities. Alternatively, the facility may store chemicals
for the manufacture of explosives or store explosives. The Chemical and Fuel
Storage is an indictor of the level of this activity and the varying impact that
different chemicals may have an impact on the environment if released.
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The questions are designed to differentiate between the quantity of the
chemicals and their nature. In this regard, light hydrocarbon fuels such as
petrol are more toxic than heavier fuels such as jet fuel or bunker fuel. They
are also more volatile and hence more mobile in the environment and present
a greater risk.
Have Large Quantities Of Ordnance Or Explosives Ever Been Used Or Stored On
The Facility/Property?
Bulk explosives or ordnance may breakdown over time and will tend to
release chemicals into the environment. The ordnance or explosives may
have historically been buried where past their use-by date.
Has The Facility Had A Chemical Drum Storage Facility Or Minor Fuel Storage In
The Last 10 Years?
This includes both official and unofficial drum storage areas. Releases from
chemical drum storage facility or minor fuel storage are unlikely to be an
ongoing source of contamination after 10 years. Note that a reportable
incident, such as a major spill, is dealt with by a later question.
Has The Facility/Property Been Used For Bulk Fuel Storage Facility?
All above-ground and under-ground fuel storages (USTs) over 5000L capacity
are considered to be bulk fuel storages. These storages may be fuel farms,
which are remote from the refuelling points, or at a refuelling station. These
fuels will typically include diesel jet fuel or bunker fuels.
Does The Facility/Property Contain A Service Station?
This question is to identify where petrol is stored for refuelling of cars. Petrol
typically contains 3% to 5% benzene. Benzene is a very hazardous component
in fuels, and potentially presents a greater risk than other fuels such as diesel
fuel of jet fuel where released to the environment.
Does The Facility Contain Heavy Vehicle And Aircraft Refuelling Facilities?
This question is to identify where refuelling of aircraft occurs remotely from
fuel farms, as is the case for aircraft refuelling. Facilities for refuelling of
heavy vehicles, such a trucks, tanks and buses may also be located at the
facility.
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3.4
TRAINING ACTIVITY
Training activity is an indicator of the nature and potential release of
hazardous materials that may be associated with training activities. A
number of Defence facilities will serve solely for training exercises, such as
target ranges for aircraft or armoured vehicles. Larger facilities may include
training facilities, such as fire training areas or small arms ranges, which
potentially may release hazardous materials and will be addressed within the
questionnaire.
Does The Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Have A Training Area For
Hazardous Chemicals?
A training facility may currently or historically have used hazardous
chemicals such as high explosives, white phosphorus or mustard gas. A
hazardous chemical is a fuel, and explosive or unstable material, however for
the purpose of the questionnaire this does not include fuels or fire-fighting
foams which are addressed separately.
Does The Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Have A Small Arms Range?
This question is to identify whether there are outdoor small arms ranges with
firing areas and stop butts at the facility. Typically the UXO and XO will be
deposited in firing areas and the stop butts and may release explosive
residues and heavy metals such as lead and copper into the environment
where the ordnance breaks down.
Does The Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Have An Ordnance Impact
Area?
A training facility may currently or historically have used ordnance other
than hazardous chemicals such as a target range for aircraft or armoured
vehicles where explosives are deployed.
Does The Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Have A Fire Fighting Training
Area?
This question is to identify if a fire training ground is present at the facility.
The fuels and foams, including AFFF, are potentially hazardous when
released from these activities.
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3.5
WASTE MANAGEMENT
The storage and disposal of waste, including building and other solid waste,
UXO, chemical waste from maintenance or painting activity or the collection
and treatment of trade and domestic waste are also a source of contamination
on a number of Defence facilities. Waste management is an indicator of the
nature of the waste and the management processes.
A number of questions are presented in relation to the management of liquid
wastes, which include trade wastes. The manner of storage and the volume
are relevant to the assessment of a release and in turn the risk.
Does The Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Have Buried Asbestos Waste?
This is to identify the difference between general solid waste and asbestos
given the high respiratory risk to humans associated with airborne respirable
asbestos.
Does The Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Have Buried Solid Waste
(Other Than Asbestos)?
Buried solid waste can include green waste, domestic waste and waste
building material such as waste concrete, steel or plastic but not asbestos or
asbestos-containing material such as asbestos cement sheeting.
Does The Facility Historically Or Currently Have Buried Potential UXO Or XO
Waste?
UXO and XO waste is present at a training facilities, where it has been
recovered the waste may then be buried or stored above-ground. This waste
will degrade and release explosive residues and heavy metals into the
environment.
Does The Facility Historically Or Currently Have A Sewage Treatment Plant Or
Facility?
Sewage treatment facilities, including treatment lagoons, are provided at a
number of Defence facilities. These facilities collect oils and greases, as well
as domestic wastes. The hydrocarbons, nitrates and ammonia and other
chemicals in domestic wastes, are contaminants and will impact the
environment, and particularly groundwater if released by leakage from
lagoons, or other collection and treatment infrastructure.
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Does The Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Have A Minor Liquid
Chemical Waste Storage?
Trade wastes, such as waste oils or solvents from maintenance activities may
only be produced in small quantities and stored in drums (for collection by
contractors).
Does The Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Have A Major In-Ground Or
Above Ground Liquid Chemical Waste Storage?
Trade wastes, such as used chemical cleaning agents, waste solvents or wash
waters may be produced in large quantities from paint shops or from major
engine maintenance facilities and stored in bulk underground storages (for
collection by contractors).
Does The Facility/Property Historically Or Currently Have Any Demolition
Grounds/Pits, Incinerator Or Burn Pits?
Demolition grounds/pits and burn pits are used at some facilities to destroy
explosive residues in spent or out-of-date ordnance. Typically diesel fuel is
used with a combustible material to fire the ordnance. Fuel or residues from
these operations may be released into the environment by these operations.
Other waste materials, such a packing materials and other combustible waste,
including sludges from wastewater treatment plants, may be burnt at a
facility in an incinerator. The residues are may release hydrocarbons and
heavy metals into the environmental where left exposed or buried.
3.6
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE
The two questions in Other Infrastructure identify other activities, electrical
substation and fire training areas, which involve the use of oils, fuels and
other potentially hazardous chemicals.
3.7
MAJOR INCIDENTS
The two questions identify incidences of Fire and Major Spills which may be
an indicator of risk that has arisen from a major one-off incident or a
significant fire.
Significant releases of chemicals and fuels into the
environment may occur by major spills from transport vehicles, or during
major fires that have occurred within the past 15 years. A major spill event is
where the spill has run into the stormwater system or has required a
significant action to recover materials. Minor spills, fires and other incidents
are not considered significant and are not classified as major events.
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4
PATHWAY
The pathway component of the source-pathway-receptor model provides
information that describes the physical setting of the facility and the
surrounding land relevant to the transport of a contaminant in the
environment. In order for an exposure to occur the contaminants at a source
need to be transported to the receptor. This transport will occur by migration
of contaminants by a number of mechanisms including;

as dust or vapours by air movement;

as dissolved contaminants or particulates in streams or in rainfall runoff;
and

by migration of contaminants (from a source) into groundwater and the
flow of groundwater to a discharge point. Groundwater may also be
extracted for use by wells, which then provides a pathway of exposure to
the end user. Groundwater may also discharge into streams and rivers of
the Statement of Environmental Audit.
The migration of surface contamination from a source is dependant on the
rainfall, the presence of creeks and rivers within or adjacent to a facility and
the topography of the facility. These are indicators of the potential for
contamination to runoff to streams or to recharge groundwater. Vertical
migration of water to the groundwater table is dependent on the soil
characteristics present in the subsurface. Additionally, the migration of
contaminants by surface water will be attenuated by various environmental
management measures such as interceptor pits, storm water retention ponds
and sediment traps.
4.1
RAINFALL
Is The Average Rainfall On The Facility/Property Greater Than 500 mm/Year?
Spills and chemical releases are more likely to migrate to groundwater or
surface water in areas where there is high rainfall. Rainfall runoff provides a
medium for the movement of potential contaminants on the ground surface to
enter soil, surface water or infiltrate through the soil to groundwater.
The average rainfall for regional centres is available from the Bureau of
Meteorology: (http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/). The rainfall for
a site near the facility should be used where no facility data is available.
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Are There Historical Reports Of Flooding On The Facility/Property?
Flooding refers to both seasonal floods and major flood events. Seasonal
flooding provides a mechanism for transfer or mobilisation of potential
contaminants on the ground surface or buried wastes to groundwater and/or
surface waters. Major flood events, which inundate facility infrastructure (at
least in part) may result in infrastructure damage and have the potential for
release of chemicals.
4.2
SOIL
Soil beneath the facilities provides a medium for the transfer of surface
releases to groundwater and potential exposure to human or ecological
receptors through re-use of groundwater or discharge of groundwater to
surface water. The rate of migration of contaminants in groundwater will
vary widely from the order of 10m/day (for sandy soils) to 1m/year (for
clays).
This information is available at GeoSciences Australia:
http://www.geoscience.gov.au/bin/mapserv36?map=/public/http/www/
geoportal/250/index.map&mode=browse&layer=map250&queryon=true
Does The Majority Of The Surface Covering/Soil On The Facility/Property Consist
Of Sandy Soil Or Karst Formations (e.g.. Limestone)?
Sandy soil is a coarse granular material, typically 1-3mm grain size. Karst
formations include limestones or dolomites and are bedrock formations that
are easily dissolved by rainwater, such as those present in regions containing
underground caves or sinkholes. Sand soil and karst formation allow surface
water to infiltrate easily through the soil to the groundwater.
Does The Majority Of The Surface Covering/Soil On The Facility/Property Consist
Of Clayey Soil?
Clay refers to a very fine grained material which is malleable. Some clayey
soils will crack in dry weather. Water and chemical releases from the surface
are likely to infiltrate slowly through the clay to groundwater.
Does The Majority Of The Surface Covering/Soil On The Facility/Property Consist
Of Bedrock Outcropping?
Bedrock outcrops are likely to be observed through the presence of large rock
formations within a cliff face or located at ground level throughout the
facility. Chemical releases from the surface are likely to travel through
fractures within the bedrock to the groundwater.
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4.3
TOPOGRAPHY
Is The Facility/Property Located In A Hilly Area (Slope Of Approximately 1:3)?
A facility located on a steep slope has a higher potential for run-off to surface
water. Additionally, a steeper topographic gradient is likely to be associated
with a faster rate of groundwater flow.
An estimation of the variation in topography is available on Google Earth ™.
Is The Facility/Property Flat Or Gently Undulating?
Gently undulating and flat land have a minimal potential for run-off to
surface water and are more likely to have a low groundwater flow rate.
An estimation of the variation in topography is available on Google Earth ™.
Is The Facility/Property Covered By More Than 75% Concrete Hardstand And
Buildings?
Where large areas of the facility are paved or covered with buildings less
rainfall is likely to infiltrate into the ground and rainfall will tend to be
directed to stormwater collection systems, reducing the risk of contamination
migration.
4.4
GROUNDWATER
At Any Time During The Year, Is Groundwater At The Facility/Property At Less
Than 10 Metres Below Ground Level?
The greater the distance to the groundwater table the less likely the
contamination is to impact the groundwater as contamination from a release
will be absorbed by the overlying soil.
4.5
SURFACE WATER
Are There Any Permanent Creeks Or Rivers Within The Bounds Of The
Facility/Property?
A creek or river within a facility may flow all year round and is available to
provide a continuous pathway for migration of surface contaminants.
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Are There Any Ephemeral Creeks Or Rivers Within The Bounds Of The
Facility/Property?
An ephemeral creek or river is one that flows on a seasonal basis. Ephemeral
creeks have a lower likelihood for migration of contaminants as the surface
water is not continuously providing a pathway.
Is the Facility/Property Less Than 300 m from the Coast?
A coast located within 300 m of the facility provides a potential pathway for
contaminant exposure through run-off of rainfall or discharge of
contaminated groundwater. Tidal influence on groundwater, will tend to mix
and dilute contaminants discharging to the sea.
4.6
PATHWAY DISTANCE
The length of the pathway between the source and the receptor will also
determine the potential risk. Pathway Distance will directly influence the time
for migration of a contaminant, or whether the contaminant will travel as far
as the point of exposure to a receptor. Typically groundwater flow is away
from high land towards the sea or a stream or river, either locally or
regionally, and this should be taken into account in considering the location
of the receptor. Where a receptor (human or ecological) is located on high
ground and more than 100m from a source a viable pathway for
contamination to the receptor may not exist. The receptor is referred to as upgradient of the source in this case. A receptor will generally be impacted where
it is down-gradient, of on ground that is lower than the source.
Are Any Workshops/Offices Located Within 200 m Of A Major
Industrial/Maintenance Activity, Fuel Farm, Fire Training Area Or Major Liquid
Industrial Waste Storage (A Significant Contaminant Source)?
Workers in a workshop or office, which is within 200m of a source, are
potentially exposed to vapours and dust from the source. The vapours may
arise from fuels and chemical spills, from open tanks, or from contaminated
groundwater. The risk from groundwater vapours will only be likely to occur
where the flow of groundwater is from the source towards the workshop or
office (that is the receptor is down-gradient of the source).
Are Any Residences Located Within 200 m Of A Significant Contamination Source?
A significant contamination source is defined as a major
industrial/maintenance activity, fuel farm, fire training area or major liquid
industrial waste storage.
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Any residences located within 200m (and downgradient) of these sources
have the potential for human receptors to be exposed through vapours or dust
arising from spills or contaminated surface or groundwater.
Is The Site Boundary Located Within 200 m Of A Significant Contamination
Source?
A significant contamination source is defined as a major
industrial/maintenance activity, fuel farm, fire training area or major liquid
industrial waste storage.
The presence of the site boundary within 200m (and down-gradient) provides
a potential pathway for chemicals arising from spills or contaminated surface
or groundwater to move off-site. The movement of contaminants off-site can
provide an exposure for sensitive receptors (human and ecological).
Are Any Streams, Surface Waters Or The Coast Located Within 300 m Of A
Significant Contamination Source?
A significant contamination source is defined as a major
industrial/maintenance activity, fuel farm, fire training area or major liquid
industrial waste storage.
The close proximity of any surface water to a source (and down-gradient)
provides a potential pathway for contaminant exposure through run-off of
rainfall or discharge of contaminated groundwater. The surface water
provides a habitat for potentially sensitive ecological receptors and the
potential for coastal water use for recreational or aquaculture purposes.
Are Any National and State Significant Flora and Fauna Species Located Within
300 m Of A Significant Contamination Source?
A significant contamination source is defined as a major
industrial/maintenance activity, fuel farm, fire training area or major liquid
industrial waste storage.
The presence of significant flora and fauna species within close proximity
(and down-gradient) to the source provides a potential for exposure through
dust or through feeding habits.
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4.7
POLLUTION PREVENTION
Does The Facility/Property Historically or Currently Have Storm Water Retention
Ponds, Oil Water Interceptors and Sediment Traps Installed at Refuelling or
Maintenance Facilities?
The presence of storm water retention ponds, oil water interceptors and
sediment traps on the facility, act as pollution prevention mechanisms.
Storm water retention ponds will receive any storm water run-off, including
potential chemical spills, allowing flocculation and volatilisation prior to
release to surface water or drainage.
Oil water interceptors and sediment traps receive the waste from maintenance
and refuelling facilities prior to discharge. The water that is subsequently
discharged or disposed has a proportion of the contamination removed from
it.
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5
RECEPTORS
The total exposure, and hence risk, to any receptor will be a function of the
time and severity of the exposure. In this regard receptors (such as residents
or listed species) are potentially exposed to a contaminant by one of the
following;
5.1

inhalation of dust and vapours;

ingestion of soil or groundwater; and

dermal (skin) absorption.
ECOLOGICAL
Ecological receptor exposure may be related to habitat and the location and
linkages of a habitat with the source and pathway.
Does Native Vegetation Cover More Than 75% Of The Facility/Property?
Sites containing a substantial area of native vegetation are more likely to
provide potential habitat for native flora and fauna than non-vegetated sites.
Flora and fauna present may be either common species or species of
conservation significance. Species of conservation significance are protected
by local, State and National legislation and policy, such as the EPBC Act 1999.
Are There Regional And/ Or State Level Listed Flora And/Or Fauna Species Or
Communities Known To Occur At The Facility/Property?
Regional and/ or State level listed flora and/or fauna species are protected by
local and State legislation and policy (this will depend on the location of the
site as legislation varies between State and Territories). Species known to
occur at the site are more likely to use the site for habitat, foraging and
breeding and therefore are more likely to be susceptible to short and/ or longterm impacts of contamination at the site
Species that are Regional and/ or State level listed flora and/or fauna species
or communities and known to use each of Defence facilities/properties are
highlighted in red on Defence’s Threatened Species Database. Only these
species should be used when answering this question.
Defence Threatened Species Database:
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened_specie
s_database.htm
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Are There National And/Or Internationally Listed Flora And/Or Fauna Species Or
Communities (National And International Level) Known To Occur At The
Facility/Property?
National and/or Internationally listed flora and/or fauna species are
protected by national and international legislation, policy (such as the EPBC
Act 1999) and international agreements (such as JAMBA/ CAMBA). Species
known to occur at the site are more likely to use the site for habitat, foraging
and breeding and therefore are more likely to be susceptible to short and/ or
long-term impacts of contamination at the site.
Species that are National and/or Internationally listed flora and/or fauna
species and known to use each of Defence facilities/properties are highlighted
in red on Defence’s Threatened Species Database. Only these species should
be used when answering this question.
Defence Threatened Species Database:
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/threatened_specie
s_database.htm
CAMBA/ JAMBA/ ROKAMBA;
www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/migratory/waterbirds/bilateral.htm
l;
Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia:
www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/dir
ectory.html; and
RAMSAR Wetland database
www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/wetlands/da
tabase
Does A Vegetation Corridor Exist Between A National Park/State Park/RAMSAR
Wetland And The Facility/Property (Including Road Verge)?
Vegetation corridors are bands of vegetation (native, either indigenous or
planted) that connect distinct patches of vegetation within the landscape.
Vegetation corridors allow flora and fauna species to between areas that
would otherwise be isolated. Vegetation corridors will provide a potential
pathway for migration of avifauna and arboreal fauna which are potential
receptors and may use the site for breeding/ foraging over time.
Is The Facility/Property A Catchment Area For Wetlands, Rivers Or Marine
Environment?
A facility may act as a catchment for a permanent or seasonal wetland or
river, or marine environment, where rainfall runoff for the facility discharges
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either directly to the water body or indirectly (via drains) or through
groundwater.
Is A Highly Sensitive Ecosystem (Including A National Park, RAMSAR Wetland,
Or A Marine Or Stream/River) Present Within 5 km Of The Facility/Property
(According To The EPBC Act 1999)?
Ecological receptors listed species and communities (under the EPBC Act
1999) are considered as sensitive receptors. Contaminants may migrate offsite via waterways etc and impact on downstream sensitive environments
such as RAMSAR wetlands and marine or stream/river environments. In
Australia the RAMSAR Convention is implemented primarily under State and
Territory legislation at three levels of government - Federal, State/Territory
and local government.
EPBC listed species and communities can include marine and freshwater
species (fish, whales, dolphins, turtles etc).
Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts’ EPBC Protected
Matters Search (www.environment.gov.au/epbc) contains information on
National Park, RAMSAR wetland, marine or stream/river present within five
kilometres of each of the Defence facilities/properties.
5.2
HUMANS
Human exposure will relate to the duration and severity of exposure. Infants
are particularly sensitive to contamination whereas adults are less sensitive.
Is There A Barracks/Residence, School Or Kindergarten On The Facility/Property?
A residence or barracks represents an area where continuous daily exposure
may occur. A residence or barracks also represents the potential for infants or
young children to be present who are considered to be more susceptible to
contaminant exposure than adults. Kindergartens or other schooling (preschooling) provides an area where infants and young children are present on
a regular basis and may be susceptible to contaminant exposure.
Are There Any Residential Areas, Schools Or Kindergartens Adjacent To The
Facility/Property (Within 100 m)?
Children and adults may be exposed where resident, or attending
kindergarten or other schooling (including pre-schooling), immediately
adjacent the facility.
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Is There Maintenance Or Commercial Activities Undertaken
Facility/Property Or Adjacent To The Facility/Property (Within 100 m)?
On
The
Workers are likely to be exposed to contamination for only an 8 hour day
during a work week and represent an exposure for a healthy adult. This
represents a less sensitive level of exposure compared to a exposure of a
young child or continuous adult exposure.
Are Training Activities Undertaken On The Facility/Property?
Adults involved in an outdoor training activity, such as weapons training,
where there is the potential for exposure to contamination on a weekly or
monthly basis and the relevant exposure will be low compared to a resident
or a worker.
5.3
REUSE
The questions in the Reuse section consider other potential opportunities for
humans to be exposed to contamination based on behaviours and activities
other than as residents or workers, including the use of groundwater and
surface waters for drinking and recreational purposes.
Reuse also considers the exposure of livestock to contaminants from grazing or
the use of groundwater for livestock watering.
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