Technical Authority: ASEE
Subject Matter Expert: DERP

Defence has a legacy of contaminated sites resulting from historical activities. Contamination of Defence land is principally due to past ignorance and/or expediency, a lack of adequate planning to improve processes and / or inadequate infrastructure required to manage potentially contaminating activities. Where contamination is identified, it needs appropriate management in order to safeguard human health, protect the environment and limit Defence liabilities.

The proper transport, handling, storage and disposal of materials likely to cause soil and/or groundwater contamination by Defence personnel is essential to reduce the risk of contamination events occurring. This includes the effective management of items such as hazardous materials, sewage, stormwater run-off and garbage. With outsourcing of activities an integral part of Defence’s business processes, it is also required that all Defence contractors are aware of Defence’s strategies in regard to reducing contamination risks. In doing this it is essential that contractors receive appropriate documented induction as to Defence’s requirements on contamination prevention where their activities may carry a contamination risk.

Contamination Policy
To ensure the most effective and efficient management of land contamination on Defence sites (including the prevention of contamination, the management of current contamination and site remediation) Defence has developed a Defence Contamination Management Strategy (DCMS) and Pollution Prevention Strategy (DPPS) outlining Defence’s objectives and responsibilities for the management of contamination within its estate.

Contamination Guidelines
Guidance is provided to assist you in incorporating contamination into your business processes to ensure contamination is appropriately managed.. Templates are provided to conduct contamination works and technical guidance is given on contamination and directives that support Defence’s policy on contamination. This may include individuals conducting activities where:

• the activity may cause contamination;
• historical contamination is discovered during works
• historical contamination is suspected as part of environmental assessments for siting options
• responding to incidents that have caused contamination

Contacts
The Directorate of Environmental Remediation Programs (DERP) – is responsible for the development of contamination management and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Policy for Defence. The Environmental Remediation Program delivers the contamination management and remediation Strategy and Policies that ensures the proper management of contamination risks across the Defence estate. The Senior Environmental Managers (SEM) and Regional Environmental Officers (REO) support this role in the regions.

If you seek any advice on a possible contaminated site, whether reporting contamination, conducting contamination work or redeveloping a site, please contact the Environmental Remediation Program Manager (AD DERP) or the relevant Regional Environmental Officer (REO).

Why is Contamination a Problem?

All Defence activities where there is potential for solids, liquids or gases to be released or discharged to the environment accidentally or intentionally, may result in pollution and contamination. Potential polluting activities that can cause contamination include:

• manufacture, use, storage, transport, testing and disposal of explosives, chemicals, and armaments, and related activities;
• storage, distribution and use of fuels, including bulk and packaged quantities, and mobile appliances;
• land management practices such as the application of agricultural sprays;
• training exercises and operations involving movement of assets; handling, storage and use of resources, armaments & equipment; production of wastes;
• waste handling and disposal practices, such as in landfills and liquid waste treatment facilities;
• facilities construction, operation and maintenance;
• handling, storage and disposal of intractable wastes such as PCBs in equipment;
• UXO;
• migration of contamination to or from neighbouring properties; and
• the inheritance of pre-existing contamination on new sites acquired by Defence.

Contamination can have serious harmful effects on people and the environment. Contamination can affect all organisms from microorganisms in the soil and water through to livestock and people.

Contamination can harm people when absorbed, swallowed or inhaled. Most commonly the effects are skin irritations and inflammation. More serious effects include cancer and tumors, heart disease, physical deformities and mental defects.

Contamination can harm the environment by degrading soil, water and air quality. In this regard contamination can affect the way the community carries out its daily business. For example, contamination of water supplies can prevent water from being used. In other cases contamination can result in odours making recreational areas unusable, or can even impact on the way a place looks, degrading the overall aesthetic values of the area.

The proper transport, handling, storage and disposal of materials likely to cause soil and/or groundwater contamination by Defence personnel is essential to reduce the risk of contamination events occurring. This includes the effective management of items such as hazardous materials, sewage, stormwater run-off and garbage. With outsourcing of activities an integral part of Defence’s business processes, it is also required that all Defence contractors are aware of Defence’s strategies in regard to reducing contamination risks. In doing this it is essential that contractors receive appropriate documented induction as to Defence’s requirements on contamination prevention where their activities may carry a contamination risk.