Land
EPA has a key responsibility in protecting beneficial uses of land. Many of these uses are regulated or controlled through measures to prevent contamination of land and groundwater.
Land contaminated by former waste disposal, industrial and similar activities is frequently discovered during changes to land use – for example, from industrial to residential use. In most cases these can be managed at the time that the change of land use occurs.
Some sites, however, present an unacceptable risk to human health or to the environment and must be dealt with as a priority. Such sites are typically subject to clean up and/or management under EPA directions.
Contaminated site information systems and Priority Sites Register
This section provides information systems designed to assist in management of contaminated sites and provide information and assurance to the public regarding the condition of certain sites. It also has information about the register kept by EPA as a listing of all priority sites (sites for which EPA has issued a clean-up notice pursuant to section 62A or a pollution abatement notice pursuant to section 31A or 31B, relevant to land and/or groundwater, of the Environment Protection Act 1970).
More about contaminated site information systems and Priority Sites Register
Access to the Priority Sites Register
Information contained in the Priority Sites Register is available to the public and may be sought by people including landowners, prospective purchasers, conveyancers, financiers, planners, assessors and auditors.
Clean up of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and Emergency Services Board complex at 450 Burnley St, Burnley
The site of the new Metropolitan Fire Brigade and Emergency Services Board (MFB) complex at 450 Burnley St. Burnley has historically been used for a number of industrial purposes. EPA served the Clean Up Notice on the MFB on 20th of December 2006 for the purpose of ensuring an environmental audit would be undertaken to formally assess any risks to land or ground water posed by activities at the site.
Contaminated land and groundwater at 227–231 Barkly Street, Brunswick
At 227–231 Barkly Street there is a former industrial site where an auditor identified contaminated soil and groundwater. This page provides an update on investigations into the contamination.
More about contaminated land and groundwater at 227–231 Barkly Street, Brunswick
Contaminated land at 917 Princes Hwy, Springvale
The site at 917 Princess Highway, Springvale is contaminated with PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) due to previous industrial activities.
EPA has given approval for new clean up technology to be used on land contaminated with PCB’s at Springvale.
The introduction of this new technology to Victoria could have benefits for the management of other contaminated sites across the state.
More about contaminated land at 917 Princes Hwy, Springvale
Ararat Gasworks site, Grano Street
SPI Networks (Gas) Pty Ltd (SPI) owns a number of old gasworks sites throughout Victoria. SPI have been undertaking a clean-up program for these sites, which were contaminated through the operations of producing town gas many years ago.
Newport pipeline leak update
Information about the pipeline leak including site assessment and clean up, monitoring of air and drinking water quality, timelines for the clean up, locality map and contact details for further information.
Planning for potentially contaminated land
EPA and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) have prepared a guidance document to assist responsible planning authorities in considering potential site contamination when preparing a planning scheme amendment or issuing a planning permit.
Industry standard for contaminated construction sites
The industry standard for contaminated construction sites is a 30-page publication providing employers and workers with practical guidance on identifying site contamination and managing the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants during construction work
More about industry standard contaminated construction sites
Underground petroleum storage systems in Victoria – Guidelines and requirements
In response to the significant environmental impacts of poorly designed and managed underground petroleum storage systems (UPSS), EPA has released important guidelines, designed to minimise the risks associated with such systems.