Advice & Assistance

Air pollution is caused by emissions from a variety of sources including industry, light and heavy vehicles, domestic solid fuel heaters, and events such as bushfires and dust storms.

Sensitive individuals, such as the elderly, children or those with existing cardiorespiratory diseases are particularly susceptible to air pollution. Some pollutants such as dust and odour can cause environmental nuisance. Persistent exposure to nuisance levels of dust and odour can lead to indirect health effects through stress.

Air quality

Addressing air quality through the South Australian Planning System

State Planning Policy 16: Emissions and Hazardous Activities includes planning principles, objectives and policy to protect communities and the environment from exposure to industrial emissions and hazards. State Planning Policy 16 is required to be considered when preparing or amending a Regional Plan or the Planning and Design Code.

In accordance with State Planning Policy 16, a Regional Plan should identify the location of industrial land uses and any other sources of emissions and identify separation distances and areas for compatible and restricted development. The Planning and Design Code should implement appropriate zoning and policy to ensure minimal exposure to emissions. The code should ensure strategic industrial land and essential infrastructure are protected from encroachment by sensitive land uses.

The EPA will work to ensure that:

• principles, objectives and policies that reference air quality are included in State Planning Policy 16 to enable further consideration and expansion of those principles, objectives and policy in Regional Plans and the Planning and Design Code.
• key development areas identified in Regional Plans would not create land use conflicts through exposure of sensitive land uses to unacceptable air quality with consideration given to background levels of pollutants in the region and the potential cumulative impact of development on the airshed.
• the Planning and Design Code implements zoning and policy to ensure minimal exposure of sensitive land uses to adverse air quality and protect strategic industrial land and essential infrastructure from encroachment by sensitive land uses.
• development and impact assessed development assessed by the EPA would not have an unacceptable adverse air quality impact on existing sensitive or other land uses, or cause impacts by encroachment of sensitive land uses on existing industry, with consideration given to background levels of pollutants in the region and the potential cumulative impact of development on the airshed.

This could be achieved by:

–  demonstrating that the proposed development would achieve the separation distance recommended by the Evaluation distances for effective air quality and noise management.

In certain circumstances it may be necessary for the proponent to demonstrate that adverse impacts are reduced to acceptable levels even though the proposed development would be able to achieve the recommended evaluation distance. Consideration should be given to the factors listed in the Evaluation distances for effective air quality and noise management guideline.

OR

–  demonstrating through dispersion modelling that the maximum ground level concentration for pollutants would be less than or equal to the ground level concentrations recommended by Schedule 2 of the Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016.

–  in the case of a potential amenity odour impact, providing odour modelling to demonstrate that odour criteria defined in Schedule 3 of the Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016 can be met. In areas with complex meteorological or terrain issues, modelling may be required even if the recommended air quality separation can be met.

• development and impact assessed development assessed by the EPA would not have an unacceptable adverse air quality impact on the natural environment, with consideration given to background levels of pollutants in the region and the potential cumulative impact of development on the airshed.

Interface issues are caused when there is insufficient separation between a source that generates air emissions and noise and a sensitive land use^[1], or when there are insufficient controls to mitigate air quality and noise impacts.

^[1] Sensitive land uses include, but are not limited to, residential housing, childcare centres, educational institutions, hospitals, nursing homes and retirement villages, parklands and recreation areas, and tourism accommodation. Industrial and commercial premises can also be affected by noise and air emissions.

Principles for managing air and noise emissions

There are 3 principles that generally apply when managing air and noise emissions. Creating an appropriate separation between land uses is often believed to be the primary method of managing an interface between land uses, but consideration should also be given to controlling emissions at the source and receiver as required.

Control at source

Where feasible, control or minimisation of emissions at the source is preferable. Engineering solutions such as acoustic barriers and acoustic treatment of plant and equipment can be used to control noise at the source. Air emissions can be managed through the use of technology or management practices (water sprays, covering stockpiles, ceasing operations in windy conditions, etc). Noise may be reduced by selection of equipment with lower emission levels.

Separation of source and receiver

Separation may be achieved in some areas where buffer land such as open spaces, green areas or recreation areas are available, or where other less sensitive uses such as non-residential buildings can be interposed between sources and residential areas.

Determining an appropriate separation distance between a source and receiver requires knowledge of the particular activity proposed to be undertaken, including the types and levels of associated noise and air emissions, the scale of operations, topography and meteorology.

Control at receiver

Controlling emissions at the receiver may require architectural design such as facing bedrooms and living spaces away from noise sources, double glazing, acoustic seals around doors and windows, acoustic building material, having air intakes away from air pollution sources, installation of dust filtration and positive pressure systems, and external design and orientation of buildings to avoid stagnant air and promote turbulence and minimising pollutant build-up.

Addressing noise through the South Australian Planning System

State Planning Policy 16: Emissions and Hazardous Activities includes planning principles, objectives and policy to protect communities and the environment from exposure to industrial emissions and hazards. State Planning Policy 16 is required to be considered when preparing or amending a Regional Plan or the Planning and Design Code.

In accordance with the policy, a Regional Plan should identify the location of industrial land uses and any other sources of emissions and identify separation distances and areas for compatible and restricted development. The Planning and Design Code should implement appropriate zoning and policy to ensure minimal exposure to emissions. The code should ensure strategic industrial land and essential infrastructure are protected from encroachment by sensitive land uses.

The EPA will work to ensure that air emissions and noise are addressed through the planning system. The EPA’s approach to doing so can be found in the position statements on Noise and Air Quality. 

Noise is an inherent part of most activities, but may become annoying if it intrudes into people's awareness or is heard against their wishes. An introduced noise that disturbs a person's everyday life or working environment can be very annoying or harmful, may cause adverse health effects due to sleep disturbance, and may affect wellbeing.

Noise

Addressing noise through the South Australian Planning System

State Planning Policy 16: Emissions and Hazardous Activities includes planning principles, objectives and policy to protect communities and the environment from exposure to industrial emissions and hazards. The policy is required to be considered when preparing or amending a Regional Plan or the Planning and Design Code.

In accordance with State Planning Policy 16, a Regional Plan should identify the location of industrial land uses and any other sources of emissions and identify separation distances and areas for compatible and restricted development. The Planning and Design Code should implement appropriate zoning and policy to ensure communities are protected from unacceptable noise levels. The code should ensure strategic industrial land and essential infrastructure are protected from encroachment by sensitive land uses.

The EPA will work to ensure that:

• principles, objectives and policies that reference noise are included in State Planning Policy 16 to enable further consideration and expansion of those principles, objectives and policy in Regional Plans and the Planning and Design Code.
• key development areas identified in Regional Plans would not create land use conflicts through exposure of sensitive land uses to unacceptable noise with consideration given to background noise levels in the region.
• the Planning and Design Code implements zoning and policy to ensure minimal exposure of sensitive land uses to unacceptable noise and protect strategic industrial land and essential infrastructure from encroachment by sensitive land uses.
• development and impact assessed development assessed by the EPA would not have an unacceptable adverse noise impact on existing sensitive or other land uses, or cause impacts by encroachment of sensitive land uses on existing industry, with consideration given to the cumulative impacts of noise sources in the region.

This could be achieved by:

–  demonstrating that the proposed development would achieve the separation distance recommended by the guideline, Evaluation distances for effective air quality and noise management.

In certain circumstances it may be necessary for the proponent to demonstrate that adverse impacts are reduced to acceptable levels even though the proposed development would be able to achieve the recommended evaluation distance. Consideration should be given to the factors listed in the Evaluation distances for effective air quality and noise management.

OR

–  providing an environmental noise assessment in the form of an acoustic report that demonstrates the Environment Protection (Commercial and Industrial Noise) Policy 2023, general environmental duty, relevant Australian Standards, or World Health Organization Guidelines for community noise would be achieved.

• development and impact assessed development assessed by the EPA would not have an unacceptable adverse noise impact on the natural environment, with consideration given to background levels of noise in the region.

Radiation is an issue that is not often assessed through the planning system. Assessments of radiation by the EPA are generally undertaken under the Radiation Protection and Control Act 2021 (RPC Act) and Radiation Protection and Control Regulations 2022 (RPC Regulations).

It is recommended that advice be sought from the EPA for any proposal that involves radiation, regardless of whether the proposal would be referred to the EPA through the South Australian planning system, in order to ensure it would be able to be licensed or registered under the RPC Act and RPC Regulations.

Radiation

Addressing radiation through the South Australian Planning System

State Planning Policy 16: Emissions and Hazardous Activities includes planning principles, objectives and policy to protect communities and the environment from exposure to hazards, including radiation. The policy is required to be considered when preparing or amending a Regional Plan or the Planning and Design Code.

In accordance with the policy, a Regional Plan should identify the location of hazardous activities, including those that involve radiation, and identify separation distances and areas for compatible and restricted development.

The Planning and Design Code should implement appropriate zoning and policy to ensure minimal exposure to hazards. The code should ensure strategic industrial land and essential infrastructure are protected from encroachment by sensitive land uses.

The EPA will work to ensure that:

• principles, objectives and policies are included in State Planning Policy 16 where relevant to protect the environment and community from health risks associated with radiation sources and to enable further consideration and expansion of those principles, objectives and policy in Regional Plans and the Planning and Design Code.
• key development areas identified in Regional Plans would not cause exposure of people or the environment to unacceptable levels of radiation.
• the Planning and Design Code implements zoning and policy to protect the environment and community from health risks associated with radiation sources.
• development and impact assessed development assessed by the EPA would be able to meet the requirements of the general environmental duty of the Environment Protection Act 1993 and any relevant environment protection policies to prevent exposure of people or the environment to unacceptable levels of radiation^[1].

The EPA will consider matters such as the method of storage of the radiation sources where a storage facility is required, the management of stormwater and air quality where mineral works are undertaken involving radioactive materials, and how radioactive materials are disposed.

^[1] The requirements of the general environmental duty would be satisfied if the proposal would meet the requirements of the RPC Act, Ionising Regulations and Non-ionising Regulations.

The EPA seeks to implement the waste management hierarchy, which prioritises various waste management approaches. The waste management hierarchy^[1] is recognised internationally as an aspirational framework for sustainability and underpins South Australia’s Waste Strategy 2015–2020. Recognising that there are instances where waste cannot be avoided the waste management hierarchy provides a framework to maximise the useful life of materials.

Waste management facilities have the potential to affect nearby land uses through exposure to unacceptable impacts in the form of odour, dust, noise, litter, vermin, leachate or landfill gas.

^[1]      Waste management hierarchy, as described in the Zero Waste SA Act 2004, refers to an order of priority for the management of waste, being: avoidance of the production of waste, minimisation of the production of waste, reuse of waste, recycling of waste, recovery of energy and other resources from waste, treatment of waste to reduce potentially degrading impacts, and disposal of waste in an environmentally sound manner. 

Waste & Recycling

Addressing waste through the South Australian Planning System

State Planning Policy 9: Employment Lands contains planning principles, objectives and policy to ensure supply of land for waste and resource recovery infrastructure in order to maximise resource use. In accordance with the policy, a Regional Plan should identify existing and future sites for employment lands and infrastructure requirements. The Planning and Design Code should implement zoning that supports employment activities and planning controls that allow new technologies and industries to emerge and grow.

State Planning Policy 16: Emissions and Hazardous Activities includes planning principles, objectives and policy to protect communities and the environment from exposure to industrial emissions and hazards. In accordance with the policy, a Regional Plan should identify the location of industrial land uses and any other sources of emissions and identify separation distances and areas for compatible and restricted development. The Planning and Design Code should implement appropriate zoning and policy to ensure minimal exposure to emissions. The code should ensure strategic industrial land and essential infrastructure are protected from encroachment by sensitive land uses.

The EPA will work to ensure that:

• principles, objectives and policies that reference the requirement to plan for the following matters are included in State Planning Policy 9 to enable further consideration and expansion of those principles and policies in Regional Plans and the Planning and Design Code:

–  future waste management infrastructure (for example transfer stations, material recovery facilities, composting facilities, contaminated soil remediation and storage facilities, energy from waste facilities and other potential green industries^[1] that may emerge from the waste sector)

–  future municipal waste management infrastructure (for example recycling and hard waste facilities, access for trucks) that will be required to service businesses and residents.

• principles, objectives and policies that reference the waste management hierarchy and air quality, noise and landfill gas issues are included in State Planning Policies 9 and 16 to enable further consideration and expansion of those principles and policies in Regional Plans and the Planning and Design Code.
• key development areas identified in Regional Plans would not create land use conflicts through exposure of sensitive land uses to unacceptable noise or air quality from waste management infrastructure.
• key development areas identified in Regional Plans would not create potential exposure of people and enclosed structures to landfill gas by ensuring they are located at least 500 metres from any operating or closed landfill.
• the Planning and Design Code implements zoning and policy to prevent exposure of sensitive land uses to unacceptable noise and air quality, prevents exposure of people and enclosed structures to landfill gas, and protects waste management infrastructure from encroachment by sensitive land uses.
• development and impact assessed development assessed by the EPA would not have an unacceptable adverse noise or air quality impact on existing land uses, would not expose people and enclosed structures to landfill gas, or cause impacts by encroachment of sensitive land uses on existing waste management infrastructure.

This could be achieved by the proponent:

–  demonstrating that the proposed development would be able to achieve the separation distance recommended by the guideline, Evaluation distances for effective air quality and noise management.

–  In certain circumstances it may be necessary for the proponent to demonstrate that adverse impacts are reduced to acceptable levels even though the proposed development would be able to achieve the recommended evaluation distance. Consideration should be given to the factors listed in the Evaluation distances for effective air quality and noise management.

OR

–  providing an environmental noise assessment in the form of an acoustic report that demonstrates that the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2023, the general environmental duty, relevant Australian Standards, or World Health Organization Guidelines for community noise would be able to be achieved.

–  demonstrating through dispersion modelling that the maximum ground level concentration for pollutants would be less than or equal to the ground level concentrations recommended by Schedule 2 of the Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016.

–  in the case of a potential amenity odour impact, providing odour modelling to demonstrate that odour criteria defined in Schedule 3 of the Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016 can be met. In areas with complex meteorological or terrain issues, modelling may be required even if the recommended air quality separation can be met.

–  demonstrating that the affected land is suitable for use having regard to the potential landfill gas risks:

–>  If a development is proposed within 500 m of an operating or closed landfill the EPA may require a landfill gas risk assessment in accordance with Landfill gas and development near landfills – advice for planning authorities and developers.

• referred applications for development and impact assessed development uses the waste management hierarchy to guide decisions on proposed development to avoid waste generation and ultimately prevent or minimise environmental harm.
• waste derived fill associated with referred applications for development and impact assessed development complies with the processes outlined in the Standard for the production and use of waste derived fill.

^[1]       Green industries are primarily concerned with the supply of energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar, water and waste.

Wastewater management processes have the potential to expose sensitive land uses to unacceptable air emissions and noise. A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) may generate odour from the wastewater treatment process and sludge handling, and noise emissions from mechanical plant, transport onto site, audible alarms, and other noise sources.

Wastewater management systems may produce treated wastewater that could have a detrimental impact on fresh and marine surface waters or groundwater if not managed appropriately. The primary water quality issue that requires management is the discharge of treated wastewater to surface waters and uncontrolled discharge (in the form of spills, leaks, overflows) causing impacts to surface or ground water.

Addressing wastewater management infrastructure through the South Australian Planning System

State Planning Policy 9: Employment Lands contains planning principles, objectives and policy to ensure supply of land for infrastructure, including for management of wastewater, in order to maximise resource use. In accordance with the policy, a Regional Plan should identify existing and future sites for wastewater management infrastructure requirements. The Planning and Design Code should implement zoning that supports employment activities and planning controls that allow new technologies and industries to emerge and grow.

State Planning Policy 16: Emissions and Hazardous Activities includes planning principles, objectives and policy to protect communities and the environment from exposure to industrial emissions and hazards. In accordance with the policy, a Regional Plan should identify the location of wastewater management infrastructure, and identify separation distances and areas for compatible and restricted development. The Planning and Design Code should implement appropriate zoning and policy to ensure minimal exposure to emissions. The code should ensure essential infrastructure is protected from encroachment by sensitive land uses.

State Planning Policy 14: Water Security and Quality includes planning principles, objectives and policy to protect South Australia’s water supply catchments and water dependent ecosystems. In accordance with the policy, a Regional Plan should identify regional catchments to understand the upstream and downstream impacts of development. Watershed areas should be identified and mapped. The Planning and Design Code should include an overlay that ensures development mitigates adverse impacts on water supplies.

Wastewater management

The EPA will work to ensure that:

• principles, objectives and policies that reference wastewater management infrastructure, including appropriate separation from sensitive land uses, avoidance or minimisation of wastewater generation, recycling and reuse opportunities, are included in State Planning Policies 9, 14 and 16 to enable further consideration and expansion of those principles and policies in Regional Plans and the Planning and Design Code.
• key development areas identified in Regional Plans would not create land use conflicts through exposure of sensitive land uses to unacceptable noise or air quality from wastewater management infrastructure.
• the Planning and Design Code implements zoning and policy to prevent exposure of sensitive land uses to unacceptable noise and air quality from wastewater management infrastructure and protect wastewater management infrastructure from encroachment of sensitive land uses.
• the Planning and Design Code implements policy to enable proper management of wastewater, including application of the waste management hierarchy.
• referred applications for development and impact assessed development would not have an unacceptable noise or air quality impact on existing land uses from wastewater management infrastructure or cause impacts by encroachment of sensitive land uses on existing waste management infrastructure.

This could be achieved by the proponent:

–  demonstrating that the proposed development would be able to achieve the separation distance recommended by the guideline, Evaluation distances for effective air quality and noise management

OR

–  demonstrating that odour criteria identified in the Environment Protection (Air Quality) Policy 2016 can be met.

–  providing an environmental noise assessment in the form of an acoustic report that demonstrates that the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2023, the general environmental duty, and any relevant Australian Standards would be able to be achieved.

• referred applications for development and impact assessed development proposing residential development are planned to manage wastewater through SA Water sewerage infrastructure, a community wastewater management system^[1], or a decentralised WWTP^[2] in preference to individual onsite disposal systems^[3].
  The potential for cumulative environmental impacts and contamination is reduced with SA Water sewerage infrastructure and community systems, provided there is sufficient capacity to receive and treat the wastewater, and reuse opportunities are supported.

• referred applications for development and impact assessed development proposing on-site wastewater management demonstrate compliance with the On-site wastewater systems code and the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015.
• referred applications for development and impact assessed development apply the waste management hierarchy to:

–  avoid or minimise generation of wastewater.

–  implement sustainable reuse of treated wastewater to avoid discharge to surface or underground waters.

The EPA advocates productive and sustainable reuse of treated wastewater to reduce the state’s reliance on traditional water supplies. It is the EPA’s preference that recycled wastewater be applied to land as it can offer recreational, social and economic benefits.

• referred applications for development and impact assessed development proposing wastewater management within the Mount Lofty Ranges or River Murray Water Protection Areas demonstrate a neutral or beneficial impact on water quality.

^[1]      Community wastewater management systems refer to a system for the collection and management of wastewater generated in a town, regional area or other community (with the exclusion of SA Water sewerage infrastructure)

^[2]      A decentralised WWTP is a facility built specifically to service a particular development, rather than wastewater from the development being transferred to existing infrastructure

^[3]      On-site disposal system refers to a system on premises for the on-site collection and management of wastewater generated, including but not limited to a septic tank, waterless composting toilet or aerated wastewater treatment system.

South Australia’s water resources support a diverse range of ecosystems, including wetlands along the River Murray, creeks in the Mount Lofty Ranges and the groundwater resources of the South East. The state’s marine ecosystems are unique and among the most biologically diverse in the world, with many endemic, and internationally and nationally important species.

The EPA has an interest in the impact of proposed developments on water quality in all parts of South Australia, but focuses its concerns in the River Murray and the Lower Lakes, the Mount Lofty Ranges Water Protection Area (a source of Greater Adelaide’s public water supply), the South East’s groundwater resources, Adelaide’s coastal waters, Lower and Upper Spencer Gulf.

Water quality

Addressing water quality through the South Australian Planning System

State Planning Policy 14: Water Security and Quality includes planning principles, objectives and policy to protect South Australia’s water supply catchments and water dependent ecosystems. The policy is required to be considered when preparing or amending a Regional Plan or the Planning and Design Code.

In accordance with State Planning Policy 14, a Regional Plan should identify areas for the growth and location of future development and regional catchments should be identified to understand the upstream and downstream impacts. Watershed areas should be identified and mapped. The Planning and Design Code should include an overlay that ensures development mitigates adverse impacts on water supplies. The code should also promote water sensitive urban design and effective stormwater management.

The EPA will work to ensure that:

• principles, objectives and policies that reference water quality are included in State Planning Policy 14 to enable further consideration and expansion of those principles, objectives and policy in Regional Plans and the Planning and Design Code.
• Regional Plans identify water supply catchments, including water protection areas proclaimed under the Environment Protection Act 1993, and ecologically sensitive areas such as the Lower Lakes, Adelaide’s coastal waters, Lower Spencer Gulf and Upper Spencer Gulf, and that consideration is given to the potential impacts of key development areas on them. Consideration should be given to the use of environmental values as applied in the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015.
• the Planning and Design Code implements zoning, policy and overlays to ensure that development mitigates adverse impacts on water supply catchments, including water protection areas proclaimed under the Environment Protection Act 1993, and areas such as Adelaide’s coastal waters, Lower and Upper Spencer Gulf that contain sensitive aquatic ecosystems.
• development and impact assessed development assessed by the EPA would not have an unacceptable adverse impact on water quality including within water supply catchments, water protection areas, and ecologically sensitive aquatic environments.

This could be achieved by the proponent:

–  demonstrating that development within the River Murray and the Mount Lofty Ranges Water Protection Areas would have a neutral or beneficial effect on water quality

–  applying water sensitive design features to the proposed development

–  demonstrating that the cumulative impact of point source and/or diffuse pollution arising from potential development in the area is considered and minimised

–  applying the waste management hierarchy^[1] to guide decisions on proposed development to avoid discharge of pollutants to surface (fresh and marine) or underground waters

–  demonstrating that wastewater management systems (either solely or associated with a proposed activity) comply with the obligations in the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015 to prevent the discharge of pollutants into any surface (fresh and marine) or underground waters, or onto land where it may enter waters.

^[1]     In preferred order with respect to waste: avoid, minimise, reuse, recycle, recover, treat and dispose.