On Tuesday 5th August in Adelaide at the Hilton Hotel, the CRC
held a Breakfast Policy Seminar, with a site contamination
theme.
At the seminar attendees were able to hear from two of the leading
policy/strategic thinkers in Europe on site contamination
issues. In addition, presentations and updates were also
provided on the South Australia contaminated groundwater modelling
guidelinesand NEPM Variation.
The seminar was well attended b more than 50 environmental policy
decision-makers and regulators, site contamination consultants, and
scientists, responsible for the management and assessment of
potentially contaminated sites. The seminar provided an ideal
forum to hear about the latest industry information and an
opportunity to listen to internationally recognised experts.
The following speakers made presentations at the Seminar:
Victor Driesis the Head of the Strategic Team of
the OVAM, the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (Belgium). As
part of his presentation Victor provided some insight on the latest
trends in Europe towards site contamination policy and the
initiative of the EU to adopt a directive on soil monitoring.
Victor also provided some explanation about the main drivers that
are used for soil investigation and remediation; how they are
linked to land transfer; and some insight towards the "lessons
learned" from this approach.
Co Molenaaris from the Netherlands Ministry of Housing,
Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM). With
400,000 potentially contmainated sites in the Netherlands and a
population density of 395 people per km² (compared to
Australia’s 2.6 people per km²) Co provided an
explanation about site contamination in The Netherlands and the
drivers of policy evolutions.
Helen Kingis the Principal Hydrogeologist, Site
Contamination with SA EPA. In November 2007, amendments to
South Australia’s Environment Protection Act, 1993
(EP Act) were passed by Parliament that introduce a comprehensive
regime for the assessment, remediation and management of site
contamination. The EPA is currently developing policies and
guidance on groundwater modelling before the planned commencement
of the site contamination legislation in February 2009.
Helen’s presentation focused on providing an update on the
development of guidelines for site contamination of water.
Bruce Kennedyis the Executive Director for the
National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) Service
Corporation. At the seminar, Bruce provided an overview
of the NEPM Variation, including the outcomes of the review of the
NEPM; Variation timeline and process; and Principal issues.
