Authors:
Bruce Kennedy | CRC CARE | Australia
Ms Kerry Scott | Crc Care | Australia
Ravi Naidu | CRC Care and CERAR, Univ. of South Australia | Australia
Ravi Naidu | CRC Care and CERAR, Univ. of South Australia | Australia
Why a National Remediation Framework?
The federal nature of Australian governance means that responsibilities are split between federal and state governments. Constitutionally, land management and environmental protection lies with the states, and differences have arisen in the management of these matters across the continent, due partly to disparities in geology, soil types and biota.
As the shift to a ‘seamless national economy’ continues (in parallel with globalisation), there is a drive to harmonise law, regulation and guidance across states, with significant benefits for the national economy. This also applies in environmental protection, and a Federal-state ministerial body has developed legally mandated, harmonised national environmental standards, including national guidelines for the assessment of site contamination. Legal and political realities have meant that to date, complementary national guidelines for remediation and management of contaminated sites are not in place – states each have their own guidance for remediation and management – which differs from one state to another, both in approach and in coverage of issues.
The comprehensive National Remediation Framework will promote cost effective and efficient site clean-up and management, and will facilitate enhanced standards of professional practice across the country. Where relevant the Framework will harmonise existing practice, and will not impinge on the decision-making prerogatives of the states.
The Framework and sustainability
The Framework will facilitate optimisation of the environmental, economic and social footprints for remediation and management. To this end, risk based land management (including the management of source-path-receptor links) and sustainability concepts underpin the Framework, consistent with state and federal environmental protection legislation.
Delivery
The Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE) is funded by government and industry, as well as research providers, to carry out mission oriented research into the clean-up of contaminated sites. CRC CARE’s remit also includes the development of regulatory guidance, premised on its credibility with all sectors and its access to government and industry expertise.
A steering group provides strategic oversight for the development of the Framework, and comprises stakeholders from the petroleum and mining industries, the Defence Department, land development agencies, contaminated land contractors consultants and auditors, and state environmental protection agencies, as well as community representation.
Framework structure and progress
The Framework comprises the following elements:
Part 1: Philosophy
• Context: background and jurisdictional arrangements, as well as purpose and intended audience
• Principles: consistent with ecologically sustainable development and sustainability
Part 2: Practice
• Guidance: practical guidance for practitioners relating to all steps of remediation and management - from the setting of remediation objectives to development and implementation of site remediation plans to post-remediation auditing and the use of institutional controls for longer term management.
Part 1 has been completed, and the development of Part 2 is well underway. It is expected that governments will endorse the completed framework.