Site contamination index

The types of site contamination information records that are available for searching include:

• section 83 notifications
• section 83A notifications
• s103E transfers of liability
• s103I voluntary site contamination assessment proposals
• s103K voluntary site remediation proposals
• section 103Z site contamination audit notifications
• section 103Z site contamination audit reports
• section 109 determinations
• reports of the former South Australian Health Commission (SAHC reports)
• pre-1 July 2009 site audit commencement and termination notifications
• pre-1 July 2009 site audit reports.

You can search the index for site contamination information that relate to your suburb or town. Specific information on each of these records can then be obtained from the EPA.

The information you will see includes an EPA reference number, type of records, address and any recorded potentially contaminating activities.

Some information records may have notifications and/or reports associated with them. These documents are not on the website, but can be requested by contacting the EPA.

You can make an appointment to view information or request a copy of information listed on the index and in the register by contacting the EPA by phone 8204 2004 or 1800 623 445 (freecall for country users), or email.

Please quote the EPA reference number and suburb of the record you are interested. Requests for copies of documents listed on the website index will be provided at no charge.

The EPA is constantly updating and improving the ways the community can assess site contamination information. The information included on the index is subject to change and now includes most of the site contamination information received and recorded by the EPA on the register. The index is updated monthly to reflect these changes and new information.

• Assessment areas
• Bore water users
• Site contamination overview

What is a notification under section 83A?

A person is required under section 83 of the Environment Protection Act 1993 to notify the EPA is serious or material environmental harm from pollution is caused or threatened in the course of an activity undertaken by a person.

What is a notification of actual or potential groundwater contamination under section 83A?

The owner or occupier of a site, site contamination consultant or site contamination auditor is required under section 83A of the Environment Protection Act 1993 to notify the EPA of the existence of site contamination at a site or in the vicinity of a site that affects or threatens groundwater. Each notification will be at varying stages of assessment and further investigation may be required to determine whether contamination exists and if so, the level of any risk it may present.

When any evidence is found which indicates there may be a risk to the public, affected communities are directly advised. Further details are available on the public communication statements. Check out information about current investigations that impact on communities.

What is a transfer of liability under section 103E?

Section 103(E) of the Environment Protection Act 1993 allows for the total or partial transfer of liability for site contamination from a vendor to purchaser or transferee in certain circumstances. For further information, refer to the EPA Information Sheet: Site contamination: Transfer of liability (2010).

What is a voluntary site contamination assessment proposal under section 103I?

Section 103I of the Environment Protection Act 1993 allows the EPA to agree not to issue a site contamination assessment order to a person (which may include an individual or a corporation). This can occur if that person undertakes to carry out assessment with EPA approval and agreement. Should a person not comply with an EPA approved proposal, it is likely that regulatory action will occur.

For further information, refer to the EPA Information Sheet: Site contamination: Responsibility for assessment and remediation of site contamination (2009).

What is a voluntary site remediation proposal under section 103K?

Section 103K of the Environment Protection Act 1993 allows the EPA to agree not to issue a site remediation order to a person (which may include an individual or a corporation). This can occur if that person undertakes to carry out remediation with EPA approval and agreement. Should a person not comply with an EPA approved proposal, it is likely that regulatory action will occur.

For further information, refer to the EPA Information Sheet: Site contamination: Responsibility for assessment and remediation of site contamination.

What is a site contamination audit notification under section 103Z?

There are two types of audit notifications that are required to be provided to the EPA by a site contamination auditor:

• Notification after commencement of an audit

Site contamination auditors are required to notify the EPA in writing within 14 days after the commencement of a site contamination audit. The notification must include details of the person who commissioned the audit and the location to which the audit relates.

• Notification after termination (before completion) of an audit

Site contamination auditors are required to notify the EPA in writing within 14 days after the termination (before completion) of a site contamination audit. The notification must include details of the reasons for the termination.

A register of auditors currently accredited by the EPA is available on the EPA website.

What is a site contamination audit termination under section 103Z?

If an auditor is unable to proceed with or finalise an audit for any reason, they are required to notify the EPA of the termination of audit (before completion).

Possible reasons for termination can include when an auditor changes employers or if the party who commissioned the audit has inadequate funds to complete the audit. Another audit may then be required to be commissioned, depending on the reason for the audit and the condition of the site.

What is a site contamination audit report under section 103Z?

A site contamination audit report is a detailed report that sets out the findings and determinations of the audit, and is prepared and provided by an auditor according to legislative requirements and guidelines issued by the EPA.

In some cases, in order to support the audit outcome, the auditor may need to specify conditions in the audit report, which require implementation to adequately protect human health and the environment taking into account the current or proposed land use(s).

As far as practicable, audit reports are self-contained documents and may have several appendices which contain reports and drawings that have been relied upon by the auditor.

An audit report is required to include a site contamination audit statement, is a prescribed summary of the findings of the audit.

For further information, refer to the information sheet Site contamination audit reports and audit statements (2015).

For information on the site contamination audit system, refer to the audit overview.

What are details recorded under section 109?

These are details of serious or material environmental harm caused or threated in the course of an activity that come to the notice of the EPA. Prior to the commencement of the section 83A notification requirements on 1 July 2009, information about historical contamination was typically recorded by the EPA under section 109(3)(h) of the Environment Protection Act 1993.

For information on the site contamination audit system, refer to the audit overview.

What is a SAHC report?

A report known as a Health Commission (SAHC) Report is a report prepared by or on behalf of the South Australian Health Commission (under the repealed South Australian Health Commission Act 1976). SAHC reports were completed up to the end of 1995 when the EPA endorsed the use of environmental auditors (contaminated land) appointed by the Victorian EPA.

What is a pre-1 July 2009 site audit commencement or termination notification?

In South Australia, between October 1995 and the audit system coming into operation in 2009, the EPA endorsed the use of environmental auditors (contaminated land) appointed by the Victorian EPA. A pre 1-July 2009 site audit commencement notification (by a person recognised as an environmental auditor) is a notification of the start of a site audit. A pre 1-July 2009 site audit termination notification (by a person recognised as an environmental auditor) is a notification of the end of a site audit prior to completion and the preparation of a site audit report. They are not site contamination notifications by an EPA accredited site contamination auditor under the Environment Protection Act 1993.

Check out the EPA website for further information on the site contamination audit system.

What is a pre-1 July 2009 site audit report?

In South Australia, between October 1995 and the audit system coming into operation in 2009, the EPA endorsed the use of environmental auditors (contaminated land) appointed by the Victorian EPA. A site audit report completed before 1 July 2009 is a review (carried out by a person recognised as an environmental auditor) that examines environmental assessments or remediation of the land for purposes of determining the suitability of the land for a particular use. It is not a site contamination audit report completed by an EPA accredited site contamination auditor under the Environment Protection Act 1993.

Check out the EPA website for further information on the site contamination audit system.

What is the purpose of making an index of site contamination notifications and reports available online?

The EPA is progressively making the environmental information it holds more accessible to the public.

In April 2011, the EPA published the site contamination index of notifications and reports received since 1 July 2009 as the first step to upload environmental information that is held on the public register. The upload all other site contamination information which form part of the EPA’s public register, was completed in September 2016..

This makes it easier to find out what information is held by the EPA and facilitates more timely access to that information.

Why can’t I find my address on the index?

The suburb names and addresses displayed in the index are those that are provided to the EPA at the time of the audit notifications and reports. Suburb names and street addresses can change over time and are not reflected in this index.

This can occur if the site is located within a newly developed area that has been subdivided to contain new street names.

How can I gain access to copies of site contamination audit reports and audit notifications?

Contact 8204 2004 or 1800 623 445 during business hours, or email to discuss the information you are seeking and to make a request through the public register. Copies of documents listed on the index of the public register directory will be provided for free.

Do I need to check the currency of audit reports and audit statements?

Yes. Reports are based on the condition of the site and the information reviewed at the time they are completed. They do not represent any changes that may have occurred to the condition of the site since the date of the report completion.

Anyone relying on reports is advised to check the currency and details of the documents. If unsure of the currency you can contact the EPA for advice.

If I have questions about a site contamination audit report or notification can I call someone at the EPA?

For more information about a site contamination audit, contact 8204 2004 or 1800 623 445 during business hours, or by email.

How regularly will the site contamination index on the website be updated?

The index will be updated on a monthly basis with the date of currency published above the search bar.