HSE
HSEP0913.2 – Land Contamination Assessment, Remediation and
Management
Content
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2
3
4
5
6
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Scope/Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 2
Procedure outputs and record keeping ......................................................................................... 2
Planning and legislative requirements ........................................................................................... 2
land contamination assessment and remediation process ........................................................... 4
4.1 Site History Review and Preliminary Site Investigation
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4.2 Site Assessment
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4.3 Risk Assessment
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4.4 Remediation
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4.5 Validation
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Roles & responsibilities (HSE)......................................................................................................... 6
Definitions ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Related documents & resources .................................................................................................... 6
Revision history .............................................................................................................................. 6
Hydro Tasmania Document
Owner(s): Sustainable Resources Manager
Approver: WHS & HSE Manager
Revision 1
Revision Date:
08/12/2014
HSE
1
HSEP0913.2 – Land Contamination Assessment and Remediation Process
Revision 1
CAUTION: Printed Document is Uncontrolled
Print Date: 07/02/2016
SCOPE/PURPOSE
The purpose of the Land Contamination Identification, Assessment and Remediation Procedure is to ensure
Hydro Tasmania’s activities comply with relevant State and Federal Government legislation and policy relating to
contaminated site management.
The procedure details specific actions required for undertaking contaminated site assessments and remediating
land contamination on Hydro Tasmania properties. The procedure details specific actions required for
undertaking contaminated on Hydro Tasmania land sites.
In cases where an underground storage tank needs to be decommissioned and removed, the measures outlined
on the Tasmanian EPA website should be followed:
http://epa.tas.gov.au/regulation/Pages/Underground-Fuel-Tanks.aspx
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PROCEDURE OUTPUTS AND RECORD KEEPING
A summary of the remediation work undertaken is entered into a Contaminated Site Record form and
submitted to the Contaminated Sites Database custodian for inclusion in the database. These records are to be
kept in the Contaminated sites secure documents location on Sharepoint.
Historical records – electronic files and hard copy files for record keeping are kept in secure file on Sharepoint
located at Contaminated sites and in the Hydro Tasmania Archives marked as Do Not Destroy, information on
location can be found on the data base.
Contaminated sites Data Base located at: Contaminated sites will
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
keep up to date records on sites that are still in Hydro Tasmania ownership and current management
processes.

Links to historical records for sites sold – purchased

Contaminated site assessments and management plans for land that is/has to be rehabilitated, sold,
purchased or rezoned.
PLANNING AND LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
The Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority
In Tasmania, the management of contaminated land is shared by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and
local Council under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA).
Where the owner or occupier of an area of land knows, reasonably believes, or should in the circumstances
reasonably believe, that the area of land is or is likely to be a contaminated site they must notify the Director of
the EPA.
If a site poses a known or potential unacceptable risk to human health and/or the environment, or environmental
harm is likely to occur, the Director of the EPA may issue a Part 5A Notice (an investigation notice, a remediation
notice, a site management notice or an environment protection notice) on a person(s), which can include an
individual or company.
Other areas of land that contain contaminants in soil and/or groundwater that have been demonstrated not
to pose an unacceptable risk of harm to human health or the environment, and therefore are suitable for the
current or approved use, are managed by local councils through the land use planning and approvals process.
Local Councils
The National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 (the NEPM) sets out a
framework for assessment of contamination and the risk to human health and the environment, and the methods
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HSE
HSEP0913.2 – Land Contamination Assessment and Remediation Process
Revision 1
CAUTION: Printed Document is Uncontrolled
Print Date: 07/02/2016
for managing contamination. In Tasmania the NEPM has effect as a State Policy under Section 12A of the State
Policies and Projects Act 1993.
Principle 5 of the NEPM states that [planning] authorities 'that consent to developments, or changes in land use,
should ensure a site that is being considered for development or a change in land use, and that the authorities
ought reasonably know if it has a history of use that is indicative of potential contamination, is suitable for its
intended use.'
The Land Use and Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA) requires, under Section 20(1)(B), that planning
schemes be prepared in accordance with State Policies. Planning Schemes are therefore to contain specific
requirements for the assessment of site suitability in relation to known and potentially contaminated sites.
Where a Planning Authority is considering an application in relation to known or potentially contaminated land,
the applicant may be required to complete a Contaminated Site Assessment; and/or undertake remediation
and/or management measures to demonstrate the site is suitable for its intended use.
Contaminated site assessments may be submitted to the EPA Division by a Planning Authority for a 3rd party
review under the 'sign-off' process in accordance with Information Bulletin 112 dated February 2011.
The National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 (the NEPM)
A new site contamination NEPM came into effect on 16 May 2013 by way of variation to the 1999 Site
Contamination NEPM.
It makes substantial changes to the 1999 Site Contamination NEPM and revises a large number of the definitions
and principles which were contained in the 1999 Site Contamination NEPM.
More significantly, it substitutes the guidelines which were operative under the 1999 Site Contamination NEPM
with a range of new guidelines, including new guidelines on ‘investigation levels’ for soil and groundwater
contamination, and on ‘risk-based assessment’ as well as others.
The new guidelines concern:
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
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investigation levels for soil and groundwater;
site characterisation;
laboratory analysis of potentially contaminated soils;
the methodology for site-specific health risk assessment;
ecological risk assessment;
the methodology to derive ecological investigation levels in contaminated soils;
ecological investigation levels for arsenic, chromium (III), copper, DDT, lead, naphthalene, nickel and
zinc;
the framework for risk-based assessment of groundwater contamination;
the derivation of health investigation levels;
community engagement and risk communication; and
competencies and acceptance of environmental auditors and related professionals
The NEPM can be found at:
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013L00768
The NEPM is a large, wordy document. For any questions relating to the NEPM contact Hydro Tasmania
Sustainable Resources Management staff.
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HSE
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HSEP0913.2 – Land Contamination Assessment and Remediation Process
Revision 1
CAUTION: Printed Document is Uncontrolled
Print Date: 07/02/2016
LAND CONTAMINATION ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION PROCESS
Managing
Managingaaknow/existing
know/existing
contaminated
contaminatedsite
site
Undertaking
Undertakingaanew
newactivity:
activity:
purchasing,
purchasing,sale,
sale,
divestment,
new
work,
divestment, new work,or
or
decommissioning
decommissioning
HT
HTbecomes
becomesaware
awareof
of
potentially
potentiallycontaminated
contaminated
land
land
Is the property
listed on the HT
contaminates sites
database?
Must
Mustnotify
notifythe
theDirector
Director
of
ofthe
theEPA
EPA
Yes
No
Potentially
contaminated site?
Check property history
(4.1)
IsIsaamanagement
managementor
or
remediation
remediationplan
planin
inplace?
place?
Yes
No
Environmental
EnvironmentalSite
Site
Assessment
Assessmentundertaken
undertaken
(4.2
(4.2&&4.3)
4.3)
Is the site potentially
contaminated?
Yes
Yes
No
Consider
Considercurrent
currentand
and
proposed
proposedland
landuse
use
No
Management
Managementor
or
remediation
remediationplan
plan
developed
developed(4.4)
(4.4)
Implement management
or remediation plan (4.4)
Validation of remediation
(4.5)
Ongoing management
requirements (ie
monitoring activities)
Continue with new activity:
purchasing, sale,
divestment, new work, or
decommissioning
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HSE
HSEP0913.2 – Land Contamination Assessment and Remediation Process
Revision 1
CAUTION: Printed Document is Uncontrolled
Print Date: 07/02/2016
4.1 Site History Review and Preliminary Site Investigation
The first stage of contaminated site assessment involves establishing a site history of
Potentially Contaminating Activities (PCAs). This Site History Review involves the
collation of information, from various sources, to determine if the site is, or may have
hosted, or is likely to have been impacted by, a potentially contaminating activity.
Where a site history review clearly demonstrates that site activities have been noncontaminating this information can be used to justify not progressing with further
assessment.
However, where there is an indication that the land may potentially be contaminated,
as a result of current or past PCAs, a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) should be
conducted by a suitably qualified and experienced consultant. A PSI usually includes a
desktop study to identify the site characteristics (site location, site layout, building
construction, geological setting, historical land uses and activities at the site and on
adjacent sites) and a site inspection (including interviews with site representatives).
The PSI should be sufficient to determine contaminants of concern and identify areas of
potential contamination, including all areas of potential contamination sources. The PSI
may also include initial sampling to provide a preliminary assessment of site
contamination and need for further investigation.
Information sources at Hydro Tasmania
A starting point for a Site History Review (and a Preliminary Site Investigation) is
checking of Hydro Tasmania’s Contaminated sites Database, consideration of the EPA’s
Potentially Contaminating Activities List and whether the land in question has hosted or
currently hosts, or is adjacent to a site that has hosted or currently hosts a PCA.
A Property Information Request from the seller or the EPA may also form part of a Site
History Review.
The information collected as part of the Preliminary Site Investigation should result in
the development of an initial Conceptual Site Model (CSM) - a representation of siterelated information regarding potential or known contamination sources and receptors,
and the potential exposure pathways between those sources and receptors.
Refer to the EPA’s Site History Reviews and Developing a Conceptual Site Model page or
the NEPM Schedule B2 for more information.
4.2 Site
Assessment
4.3 Risk
Assessment
4.4 Remediation
The site assessment should:
 be undertaken in accordance with the NEPM; and
 be undertaken by professionals who have the relevant qualifications,
competencies and experience for the site contamination issues under
investigation.
Refer to the EPA’s Engaging a Contaminated Site Assessment Consultant page for
further information.
A risk assessment is undertaken to establish baseline risks and to determine whether
site remediation or other action is required and to determine a tolerable level of
contaminants that can remain in place whilst adequately protecting health and
ecological values. Site specific response levels are determined for contaminants of
concern at the site and compared with laboratory results. If results are lower than the
response levels no further action will be required. If results are higher than response
levels a Remediation Plan must be developed.
Remediation is undertaken as per the Remediation Plan.
Hydro Tasmania record keeping
A summary of the remediation work undertaken is entered into a Contaminated Site
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HSE
HSEP0913.2 – Land Contamination Assessment and Remediation Process
Revision 1
CAUTION: Printed Document is Uncontrolled
Print Date: 07/02/2016
4.5 Validation
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Record form and submitted to the Contaminated Sites Database custodian for
inclusion in the database.
At the completion of site remediation, validation sampling will be undertaken and
compared with the appropriate investigation or response levels to determine
remediation success. A Remediation Validation Report is then prepared.
Hydro Tasmania record keeping
A summary of the validation report is entered into a Contaminated Site Record form
and submitted to the Contaminated Sites Database custodian for inclusion in the
database.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES (HSE)
Sustainable Resource
Management Team
Responsible for maintaining the Contaminated Sites Database and ensuring
implementation and ongoing assessment of Management Plans
Contaminated Sites
Database custodian
The database is maintained by either the Senior Field Environmental Advisor or a
member of the Sustainable Resources Management Team.
Line Managers
Responsible for ensuring sufficient budget to manage sites as per designed
Management/Remediation Plans.
Worker
Hydro Tasmania staff involved in property transactions are required to comply with this
procedure.
All Hydro Tasmania staff are required to report any potential land contamination issues
to their manager.
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DEFINITIONS
Accountable person
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An individual who assumes responsibility for the health and safety of any other person
in a workplace and protection of the environment by providing instruction, direction,
expert advice or service. All management and supervisory staff are considered
‘accountable persons’.
RELATED DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES
Risk Assessment
HSEP0301 – Hazard
Identification and Risk Management
8
REVISION HISTORY
Revision
Revision
number
date
0
30.4.14
Detailed revision description
New Procedure
Reviewed by
Beverley Armstrong
Approved by
Sustainable
Resources
Manager
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