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| Health home > Environmental health home > In the community > Land | |||
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LandPage content: Contaminated land | Waste management | Cleanaway Landfill in Tullamarine | Biosolids | Effluent disposal | Cleaning up after a bushfire Contaminated landContaminated land is often a legacy of our industrial past when the community’s awareness about the need to protect the environment was much lower than it is today. Managing Risks Associated with Land Contamination: Guidance for Councils When soil contains elevated levels of metals or other substances, it does not automatically mean a human health risk exists. However, there is heightened public awareness of the potential for soil contamination, especially in areas where children stay or play. To manage these situations consistently, effectively and transparently, councils should develop policies and procedures specific to their municipality to deal with potentially contaminated sites. Careful planning and early community engagement are essential. These guidelines provide the tools to assist your council in developing a policy and procedure for effectively managing contaminated sites.
DHS held a seminar/workshop on 4 December 2006, which was based on the guideline document 'Managing Risks Associated with Land Contamination: Guidance for Councils'. The following are copies of the speakers' presentations, including an introductory summary for the session.
Health risk assessment The enHealth
Council has developed National Guidelines for assessing health impact
and health risk. Mine tailings & arsenic Many towns and cities in Victoria have been built in areas with a history
of gold mining. Mine tailings that contain arsenic are spread over large areas
of land, including land now used for housing. This booklet contains information
for people who live in such areas. It gives information on what you need to
know and actions you can take to protect your family's health. Waste managementThe following site contains information about waste management. Environment Protection Authority Cleanaway Landfill in Tullamarine, Investigating health concerns in population living near the landfillThe Cleanaway landfill is located in the City of Hume in a former stone quarry in Western Avenue, Tullamarine. The landfill is next to Melbourne Airport with the residential suburbs of Attwood, Tullamarine, Gladstone Park and Westmeadows within a 3 km radius (refer to map). The landfill has operated since 1973. It was used for liquid and solid industrial wastes until 1988. Since this time, it has received only solid wastes. The Environmental Health Unit coordinated the following investigation with input, expertise and assistance from the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit (within the Public Health Branch), Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity and The Cancer Council Victoria. BiosolidsThe following site contains information about biosolids. Environment Protection Authority Effluent disposal - Septic tanks code of practiceThe following site contains information about septic tanks. Environment Protection Authority Cleaning up after a bushfireHouses, sheds and other buildings or structures that are burnt in a bushfire can leave potential health hazards in the remaining rubble, ash and debris. |
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Last updated:
29 July, 2008
This web site is managed and authorised by Environmental Health, Public Health Branch, Rural & Regional Health & Aged Care Services Division of the Victorian State Government, Department of Human Services, Australia |
