Contaminated Sites database The Contaminated Sites database holds information on known contaminated sites, in other words sites that have been classified by the Department of Environment and Conservation as: Contaminated - remediation required; Contaminated - restricted use; or Remediated for restricted use. The database allows searches for known contaminated sites using search fields such as Street Name, Suburb/Town, Local Government Authority (e.g. Council), Land Title or Crown Land Reserve Number. If you wish to search all records of suspected contaminated sites reported to DEC, including sites that have not yet been classified, or sites classified as: Possibly contaminated - investigation required; Decontaminated; Not contaminated - unrestricted use; or Report not substantiated, please submit a Form 2 - Request for a summary of records in respect of land to DEC with the appropriate fee. Click here to access the Contaminated Sites database

The Contaminated Sites Act 2003 (Act) took effect on 1 December 2006.

"in relation to land, water or a site, having a substance present in or on that land, water or site at above background concentrations that presents, or has the potential to present, a risk of harm to human health, the environment or any environmental value."

Where past or present land use activities involve, or have involved, the storage, handling or disposal of chemicals, there is an increased risk of contamination. Examples of potentially contaminating activities include service stations, landfills, power stations, gasworks, and market gardens. Contamination is usually caused by spills or leaks, such as from fuel or chemical storage tanks, or poor management practices at industrial sites.

To help members of the public and other stakeholders with their understanding of the Act, a series of 15 easy to read fact sheets containing relevant information about the Act and its implications has been developed.

DEC has also published series of administrative and technical guidelines to help with the identification, assessment, management and remediation of contaminated sites in Western Australia.

A dedicated contaminated sites telephone information line has been set up to assist with any questions or concerns about the Act. Please call 1300 762 982 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday to speak to a Department of Environment and Conservation staff member.

Information on sites classified as 'contaminated - remediation required', 'contaminated - restricted use' and 'remediated for restricted use' under the Act is available, free of charge, via the Contaminated Sites Database.

Forms are prescribed under the Act for reporting known or suspected contaminated sites to DEC, requesting access to information which is not available via the database, etc. DEC has accredited certain people as contaminated sites auditors, to undertake an independent review of contaminated site investigations and remediation.

Our Role

Contaminated sites in Western Australia are managed by the Land and Water Quality Branch of the Department. The Branch provides advice on the management of contaminated sites, and develops relevant policy, legislation and guidelines.

The Branch has extensive experience in contaminated site assessment and management, with many staff coming from an environmental consultancy background and having a wealth of experience in the identification, investigation and remediation of contaminated sites within Australia, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Other staff have considerable regulatory experience sourced from Australian jurisdictions and overseas.

The Contaminated Sites Committee

The Act also establishes a Contaminated Sites Committee to:

• decide who is responsible for remediating particular contaminated sites,
• consider disclosure statements submitted by landowners seeking exemption from responsibility for remediation, and
• determine appeals against certain decisions made by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).

The statutory Committee is appointed by the Minister for the Environment but is fully independent of DEC in its decision making role.

The website of the Contaminated Sites Committee is at www.consitescommittee.wa.gov.au.