Australia Site Remediation

The Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Center (CRC) for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment published the National Remediation Framework and Guidance of Australia (NRF).  The NRF provides a nationally harmonized approach for the remediation and management of contaminated sites in both Australia and New Zealand.  The Framework aims to create greater technical consistency in procedures and best practice.  The informal alliance of environmental leaders from both Australia and New Zealand (HEPA) has already endorsed NRF as best practice. 

Guidelines cover solutions and technology associated with containment, chemical stabilization, bioremediation, soil washing, thermal desorption, excavation and soil vapor remediation.  These solutions relate to soil contamination but guidelines have also been developed for groundwater contamination. More information can be found on the National Remediation Framework Overview page.

State government-based environmental agencies have overall responsibility for contaminated sites. State and local governments share the management of sites, depending on the contamination’s health risks.  State-based authorities are empowered to regulate contaminated sites that pose significant risk of harm to human health or the environment.  Local councils manage other contaminated sites that do not pose a significant risk and are considered suitable for the current or approved use.  The typical steps that would lead to land being remediated include:

• A developer of the land hires an independent and accredited consultant.
• The results of testing are passed to local council as part of the land development approval process.
• The consultant proposes rehabilitation measures.
• The state-based environmental agency, local council, or developer in conjunction with the accredited consultant puts a remediation project together.
• A contracting firm is engaged to carry out the work.
• An accredited site auditor is appointed to review the work done by the consultant.

There are few equipment suppliers who have the capacity to represent U.S. manufacturers of remediation technology.  State-based EPAs are also able to assess proposed technologies for treating certain chemical wastes to establish their effectiveness.  U.S. developed remediation technologies can be presented to remediation contractors and certified consultants.  U.S. suppliers have also successfully entered the market by partnering with remediation contractors on specific projects.