ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING

Facilitate requirements of Planning Authorities, Statutory Notices or Voluntary/Due Diligence processes.

The development/redevelopment of contaminated and potentially contaminated sites often triggers a requirement for a Statutory Environmental Audit. As designated by individual state policies, rezoning and planning permit applications can result in a request from the local Planning Authority for a Section 53X Audit - Statement/Certificate of Environmental Audit - to state that the site is suitable for the proposed land use.

The identification of contaminated sites can also result in a Statutory Notice issued by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA Victoria) that stipulate a requirement to undertake a Section 53V Audit (Vic) to assess the risk of harm to a segment of the environment.

Contaminated sites audits may also be triggered in Western Australia by acts of law, including land development conditions whereby developers are obligated to undertake an environmental investigation to the satisfaction of the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).

In other instances, companies or individuals may elect to commission an Environmental Audit voluntarily for due diligence purposes or to facilitate a Contract of Sale or Lease Agreement (amongst other reasons).

What is an Environmental Audit?

In Victoria, environmental audits may be undertaken pursuant to Section 53X of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (the Act) to determine site suitability or pursuant to Section 53V of the the Act, to determine the risk of harm to a segment of the environment.

In Western Australia, a Contaminated Sites Auditor is appointed pursuant to the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 and the audit must comply with the requirements and duties outlined in the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 and the Contaminated Sites Regulations 2006, as well as the DEC’s Contaminated Sites Management Series.

Our company or principal staff accreditations include:

- ISO 9001 Quality Management System;
- Three (3) EPA appointed Environmental Auditors (Contaminated Land) – Victoria;
- One (1) DEC appointed Contaminated Sites Auditor – Western Australia;
- NATA Accredited Soils Testing Laboratory (asbestos);
- Member of Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association (ACLCA) - Victoria and Western Australia;
- Member and bronze level sponsor of Australasian Land and Groundwater Association (ALGA).

Our approach to Section 53X audits in Victoria includes:

- Scope definition and determination of project objectives (ie. to satisfy planning permit condition and facilitate the proposed development);
- EPA notification of Auditor appointment & commencement of Audit;
- Site inspection and meeting with the appointed Assessor;
- Ongoing liaison and review of correspondence with the appointed Assessor throughout the audit project, including review/comment on site history reviews, work plans, soil and groundwater summary results information, remedial action plans and detailed reports;
- Formulate an opinion regarding potential risks (ecological and human health) and consider the potential requirement for a Clean Up To the Extent Practicable (CUTEP) Submission to EPA;
- Liaison with EPA and Council (as required);
- Review of final reports, upon Assessor completion of assessment and remedial works (if required);
- Preparation of Environmental Audit Report;
- Preparation of Certificate or conditional Statement of Environmental Audit.

In Western Australia, environmental audits include:

- An evaluation of the contamination status of a sites and an assessment of whether a site poses or potentially poses a risk of harm to human health or the environment, or poses a detrimental effect on the protected beneficial uses of the a site;
- An assessment as to whether the condition of the a site is impacting surrounding sites and/or land uses;
- An assessment as to whether the contaminated site investigation, assessment, remediation and management works undertaken at the a site have been carried out in accordance with the DEC Contaminated Sites Management Series guidelines and other relevant legislation and guidelines;
- An assessment of the completeness and effectiveness of any remediation or risk mitigation/management measures employed at the site;
- An evaluation of the suitability of the a site to be used for its current or proposed land uses; and a recommended of classification (or re-classification) for the site, and any recommended restrictions relating to the use of the site.