Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 No 140

An Act to promote the better management of contaminated land; to amend the Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985; to amend certain other Acts; and for other purposes.

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name of Act

This Act is the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997.

2 Commencement

This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.

3 Objects of this Act

(1)  The general object of this Act is to establish a process for investigating and (where appropriate) remediating land that the EPA considers to be contaminated significantly enough to require regulation under Division 2 of Part 3.

(2)  Particular objects of this Act are:

(a)  to set out accountabilities for managing contamination if the EPA considers the contamination is significant enough to require regulation under Division 2 of Part 3, and

(b)  to set out the role of the EPA in the assessment of contamination and the supervision of the investigation and management of contaminated sites, and

(c)  to provide for the accreditation of site auditors of contaminated land to ensure appropriate standards of auditing in the management of contaminated land, and

(d)  to ensure that contaminated land is managed with regard to the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

s 3: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [1]–[3].

4 Definitions

(1)  In this Act:

accreditation panel means the accreditation panel convened by the EPA under Part 4.

appropriate person means a person specified in accordance with section 13 as a person who is to be the subject of a management order.

approved use of land means a use to which the subject land may be put without approval or development consent under Part 3A or 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

approved voluntary management proposal means a voluntary management proposal that has been approved by the EPA under section 17, as modified by any conditions imposed by the EPA under that section.

authorised officer means an officer appointed under Part 9.

contaminate and contamination are defined in section 5.

costs include expenses.

Department means the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Director-General means the Director-General of the Department.

environment means components of the earth, including:

(a)  land, air and water, and

(b)  any layer of the atmosphere, and

(c)  any organic or inorganic matter and any living organism, and

(d)  human-made or modified structures and areas,

and includes interacting natural ecosystems that include components referred to in paragraphs (a)–(c).

Note—

This definition follows that in the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991.

environment protection legislation has the same meaning as in the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991.

environmental planning instrument means an environmental planning instrument within the meaning of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

EPA means the Environment Protection Authority constituted by the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991.

executor means a person acting as executor or trustee in the administration of a deceased estate to whom a grant of probate of a will, or administration with the will annexed, is made.

exercise a function includes perform a duty.

function includes a power, authority or duty.

guideline means a guideline made or approved by the EPA under section 105 and for the time being having effect under that section.

harm means, in relation to the contamination of land, harm to human health or some other aspect of the environment (including any direct or indirect alteration of the environment that has the effect of degrading the environment), whether in, on or under the land or elsewhere.

interested person means, in relation to land, a person referred to in section 13 (2) (a), (b) or (c).

land includes water on or below the surface of land and the bed of such water.

local authority means:

(a)  the council, within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993, in relation to an area within the meaning of that Act, or

(b)  the Lord Howe Island Board in relation to Lord Howe Island, or

(c)  the Western Lands Commissioner for the Western Division, or

(d)  an authority prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph for any place not covered above, or

(e)  an authority prescribed instead by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph for any place wholly or partly covered in paragraphs (a)–(c).

management of land or of contamination of land means management in relation to the actual or possible contamination of the land, including investigation into the existence, nature and extent of contamination of the land and remediation of contaminated land.

management order means an order under section 14 (1).

notional owner—see section 7.

occupier of land means the person who has the management or control of the land.

ongoing maintenance order means an order under section 28 (2).

owner:

(a)  in relation to Crown land:

(i)  that is the subject of a perpetual lease within the meaning of the Crown Lands (Continued Tenures) Act 1989, means the holder of such a lease, and

(ii)  that is the subject of a lease in perpetuity within the meaning of the Western Lands Act 1901, means the holder of such a lease, and

(iii)  that is not referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii), means the Crown, and

(b)  in relation to other land, does not include a person just because the person has an interest in the land under a lease, licence or permit, and

(c)  in relation to land that is not Crown land and is not subject to the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900, does not include a person merely because the person is a mortgagee.

preliminary investigation order means an order under section 10 (1).

public authority means a public or local authority constituted by or under an Act, and includes:

(a)  a government department, or

(b)  a statutory body representing the Crown (but not a State owned corporation), or

(c)  a member of staff or other person who exercises functions on behalf of a public authority.

records includes plans, specifications, maps, reports, books and other documents (whether in writing, in electronic form or otherwise).

remediation of contaminated land includes:

(a)  preparing a long-term management plan (if any) for the land, and

(b)  removing, dispersing, destroying, reducing, mitigating or containing the contamination of the land, and

(c)  eliminating or reducing any hazard arising from the contamination of the land (including by preventing the entry of persons or animals on the land).

risk includes a long-term risk.

significant contaminant and significant contamination—see section 11 (3).

significantly contaminated land means land described in a notice having effect under section 11.

site audit means a review:

(a)  that relates to management (whether under this Act or otherwise) of the actual or possible contamination of land, and

(b)  that is conducted for the purpose of determining any one or more of the following matters:

(i)  the nature and extent of any contamination of the land,

(ii)  the nature and extent of any management of actual or possible contamination of the land,

(iii)  whether the land is suitable for any specified use or range of uses,

(iv)  what management remains necessary before the land is suitable for any specified use or range of uses,

(v)  the suitability and appropriateness of a plan of management, long-term management plan or a voluntary management proposal.

site audit report means a site audit report prepared by a site auditor in accordance with Part 4.

site audit statement means a site audit statement prepared by a site auditor in accordance with Part 4.

site auditor means a person for the time being accredited under Part 4 as a site auditor.

State includes the Government or the Crown.

substance includes matter or thing.

voluntary management proposal—see section 17 (1).

waters means the whole or any part of:

(a)  any river, stream, lake, lagoon, swamp, wetlands, unconfined surface water, natural or artificial watercourse, dam or tidal waters (including the sea), or

(b)  any underground or artesian water.

(2)  The power of the EPA to order a person to take specified action under Part 3 includes a power to order the person to refrain from taking specified action.

(3)  Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.

s 4: Am 1998 No 120, Sch 1.9 [1]; 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [1]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [4] [5].

5 Contamination

(1)  Contamination of land, for the purposes of this Act, means the presence in, on or under the land of a substance at a concentration above the concentration at which the substance is normally present in, on or under (respectively) land in the same locality, being a presence that presents a risk of harm to human health or any other aspect of the environment.

(2)  Contaminate, for the purposes of this Act, means to cause such contamination.

(3)  However, land is not, for the purposes of this Act, contaminated land:

(a)  merely because in any surface water standing or running on the land a substance is present in such a concentration, or

(b)  merely because of the presence of a substance prescribed by the regulations, or

(c)  in circumstances prescribed by the regulations.

(4)  Land may, for the purposes of this Act, be contaminated land even if it became contaminated partly or entirely by the migration of contaminants into, onto or under the land from other land.

Note—

See also sections 9 (Assessment of risk of harm) and 13 (Responsibility if contamination indirect or delayed or risk arises from change of use).

6 Responsibility for contamination of land

(1)  For the purposes of this Act, a person is responsible for contamination of land (whether or not the contamination is significant contamination) if any one or more of the following is true:

(a)  the person caused the contamination of the land (whether or not any other person also caused the contamination of the land),

(b)  the contamination occurred because an act or activity of the person resulted in the conversion of a substance that did not cause contamination of the land into a substance that did cause contamination of the land,

(c)  the person is the owner or occupier of the land and the person knew or ought reasonably to have known that contamination of the land would occur and the person failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the contamination,

(d)  the person carried on activities on the land that generate or consume:

(i)  the same substances as those that caused the contamination, or

(ii)  substances that may be converted, by reacting with each other or by the action of natural processes on the land, into substances that are the same as those that caused the contamination,

unless it is established that the contamination was not caused by the person.

(2)  For the purposes of this Act, a person is also responsible for significant contamination of land if either or both of the following is true:

(a)  the significant contamination occurred because an act or activity of the person resulted in a change in some pre-existing contamination of the land so that the contamination of the land became significant contamination,

(b)  the significant contamination occurred because an act or activity of the person resulted in a change in the approved use of the land and the consequent increase in the risk of harm caused the EPA to identify the land as significantly contaminated land (even if the contamination itself did not change).

(3)  In determining whether a person is responsible for contamination of land, it is irrelevant that the contamination did not arise contemporaneously with the act, activity or omission of the person that ultimately was responsible for (or is taken to be responsible for) the contamination of the land.

(4)  An act referred to in subsection (2) (b) includes the making of an application for an approval under Part 3A, or for development consent under Part 4, of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

(5)  A public authority or Minister does not become a person referred to in subsection (2) (b) merely by giving an approval or consent, or concurring in the giving of consent under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

(6)  A person who is responsible for contamination continues to be responsible for that contamination under this Act whether or not the person has entered a contract or other arrangement that provides for some other person to be responsible for the contamination or for any harm caused by the contamination.

ss 6–9: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [6].

7 Concept of notional owner

(1)  For the purposes of this Act, a notional owner of land is a person who is a mortgagee in possession of the land or who has a vested interest with respect to the land:

(a)  that carries an entitlement to have a freehold interest in the land vested in the person, or

(b)  that enables the person to dispose of or otherwise deal with a freehold interest in the land,

so that the person is able to benefit from the value of the land, or a substantial portion of it, by such vesting, disposal or dealing.

(2)  Despite subsection (1), a person is not a notional owner of land:

(a)  if the person, not being a mortgagee in possession of the land, is the owner of the land or is the Crown or a person or body representing the Crown, or

(b)  merely because the person has a security (such as a mortgage, charge or lien) over the land, or

(c)  merely because the person is a legal personal representative of a person who was an owner of the land immediately before the person’s death or the appointment of the representative took effect, or

(d)  merely because the person is the Public Trustee and the land is deemed to be vested in the Public Trustee by the operation of section 61 of the Probate and Administration Act 1898, or

(e)  if the person would otherwise be a notional owner of land, but:

(i)  the person has some security over the land, and

(ii)  the person (or a financial controller appointed by the person) has entered into a contract to sell the land for the purpose of realising part or all of the value of the land in order to discharge the obligation so secured.

(3)  In subsection (2) (e) (ii), financial controller means a receiver, manager or other person who has possession or control of land for the purpose of realising part or all of the value of the land in order to discharge an obligation secured over the land.

ss 6–9: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [6].

8 General functions of EPA

(1)  It is the duty of the EPA to do the following in a manner and to an extent reasonable in the circumstances:

(a)  examine, and respond to, information that it receives of actual or possible contamination of land,

(b)  address any contamination that the EPA considers to be significant enough to require regulation under Division 2 of Part 3,

(c)  record what it has done under paragraphs (a) and (b) and the reasons for it.

(2)  It is the duty of the EPA to respond to a person (other than the EPA or an authorised officer) who has furnished information referred to in subsection (1). The response must:

(a)  be made in a reasonable time, and

(b)  state what the EPA has done in relation to the information and the reasons for doing it, and

(c)  be in writing if the information was in writing.

(3)  In addition to any functions the EPA has under this or any other Act, the EPA may take such reasonable steps as it considers necessary in relation to investigating or managing contamination of land (including significantly contaminated land) or the threat of harm from any such contamination.

ss 6–9: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [6].

9 Need to maintain ecologically sustainable development

(1)  The EPA is to have regard to the principles of ecologically sustainable development in the exercise of its functions under this Act and is to seek the implementation of those principles in the management by other persons of contaminated land.

(2)  In this section, ecologically sustainable development and the principles and programs that relate to it are to be construed according to their meanings in the statements of principle set out in subsection (3) (the principles of ecologically sustainable development).

(3)  Ecologically sustainable development requires the effective integration of economic and environmental considerations in decision-making processes. Ecologically sustainable development can be achieved through the implementation of the following principles and programs:

(a)  the precautionary principle—namely, that if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation. In the application of the precautionary principle, public and private decisions should be guided by:

(i)  careful evaluation to avoid, wherever practicable, serious or irreversible damage to the environment, and

(ii)  an assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of various options,

(b)  inter-generational equity—namely, that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment are maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations,

(c)  conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity—namely, that conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration,

(d)  improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms—namely, that environmental factors should be included in the valuation of assets and services, such as:

(i)  polluter pays—that is, those who generate pollution and waste should bear the cost of containment, avoidance or abatement,

(ii)  the users of goods and services should pay prices based on the full life cycle of costs of providing goods and services, including the use of natural resources and assets and the ultimate disposal of any waste,

(iii)  environmental goals, having been established, should be pursued in the most cost effective way, by establishing incentive structures, including market mechanisms, that enable those best placed to maximise benefits or minimise costs to develop their own solutions and responses to environmental problems.

ss 6–9: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [6].

Part 2

  (Repealed)

pt 2, hdg: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [6].

Part 3 Management of contaminated land

pt 3, hdg: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [7].

Division 1 Preliminary investigation of land

pt 3, div 1: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

10 Preliminary investigation orders

(1)  The EPA may, by order in writing served on a person, direct the person to conduct a preliminary investigation of land specified in the order (the specified land) within the time specified in the order to:

(a)  investigate whether the land is contaminated with the substances specified in the order (the specified substances) being the substances that the EPA reasonably suspects contaminate the specified land, and

(b)  investigate the nature and extent of any such contamination, and

(c)  provide to the EPA such information with respect to the investigation as it may require.

(2)  A substance may be specified in a preliminary investigation order by reference to a chemical group of related substances if the EPA reasonably suspects that the specified land is contaminated with one or more of the substances in that group. In such a case each substance in that group is taken to be a specified substance for the purposes of this section.

(3)  A preliminary investigation order may be served on any one or more of the following persons:

(a)  a person who the EPA reasonably suspects may have been responsible for contamination of the land with the specified substance,

(b)  an owner of the specified land,

(c)  a notional owner of the specified land,

(d)  a person who carried on activities on the specified land, but only if the activities are of the sort that:

(i)  generate or consume the same substance as a specified substance, or

(ii)  generate or consume substances that may be converted by reacting with each other or by the action of natural processes on the land into the same substance as any of the specified substances,

(e)  a public authority.

(4)  In the application of Divisions 5–7 to a preliminary investigation order, any reference in those Divisions:

(a)  to significantly contaminated land is taken to be a reference to the specified land, and

(b)  to an appropriate person is taken to be a reference to a person on whom a preliminary investigation order may be served.

(5)  A person (other than a public authority that is not a person referred to in subsection (3) (a)–(d)) must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with a preliminary investigation order.

Maximum penalty:

(a)  in the case of a corporation—625 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 300 penalty units for each day the offence continues, or

(b)  in the case of an individual—300 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 150 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(6)  Without limiting subsection (5), a person has a reasonable excuse if the person was unable to enter land because of the refusal of access to the land by its occupier in circumstances where entry to that land was essential to enable the person to comply with the relevant part of the preliminary investigation order.

s 10: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [6]. Ins 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

Division 2 Regulation of significantly contaminated land

pt 3, div 2: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

11 Declaring land to be significantly contaminated land

(1)  If the EPA has reason to believe that land is contaminated and that the contamination is significant enough to warrant regulation under this Division, the EPA may declare the land to be significantly contaminated land.

(2)  The declaration is to be made by notice published in the Gazette that:

(a)  describes with reasonable particularity the land that is to be significantly contaminated land, and

(b)  specifies the substances that the EPA has reason to believe contaminate the land in such a way as to warrant regulation under this Division, and

(c)  states the harm that the EPA has reason to believe has been, or may be, caused by the substances, and

(d)  advises that declaring the land to be significantly contaminated land does not prevent the carrying out of voluntary management of the land by any person, and

(e)  advises that any person may, within a period (not being less than 21 days) specified in the notice, make submissions to the EPA on whether the EPA should serve a management order in relation to the land or on any other matter concerning the land.

(3)  Each substance that is specified in the notice under this section is a significant contaminant and the actual or possible contamination of the land by the significant contaminant is significant contamination.

(4)  The EPA is to serve a copy of the notice on:

(a)  the owner of the land (or, if the EPA does not know the identity or address of the owner, the notional owner of the land, if any, whose identity and address are known to the EPA), and

(b)  those persons (whose identities and addresses are known to the EPA) who the EPA has reason to believe are responsible for significant contamination of the land, and

(c)  the occupier of the land, and

(d)  the local authority in relation to the land, and

(e)  if the EPA has reason to believe that a significant contaminant of land originates from the use of a cattle dip site on the land in relation to a treatment ordered under the Stock Diseases Act 1923—the Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries.

(5)  The EPA is to publish a policy on the Department’s website on the Internet setting out how it intends to notify the public about:

(a)  land that it has declared to be significantly contaminated land, and

(b)  land that has ceased to be significantly contaminated land,

and it is to notify the public in accordance with that policy. However, failure to comply with this subsection does not invalidate any notice under this section.

ss 11–13: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

12 Matters to be considered before declaring land to be significantly contaminated land

(1)  Before declaring land to be significantly contaminated land under section 11, the EPA is to take into account any relevant guidelines and each of the following matters with respect to the substances that the EPA believes cause the land to be contaminated:

(a)  whether the substances have already caused harm (for example in the form of toxic effects on plant or animal life),

(b)  whether the substances are toxic, persistent or bioaccumulative or are present in large quantities or high concentrations or occur in combinations,

(c)  whether there are exposure pathways available to the substances (that is, the routes whereby the substances may proceed from the source of the contamination to human beings or other aspects of the environment),

(d)  whether the uses to which the land and land adjoining it are currently being put are such as to increase the risk of harm from the substances (for example, use for child care, dwellings or domestic food production),

(e)  whether the approved uses of the land and land adjoining it are such as to increase the risk of harm from the substances,

(f)  whether the substances have migrated or are likely to migrate from the land (whether because of the nature of the substances or because of the nature of the land).

(2)  The EPA may declare land to be significantly contaminated land under section 11 even if the possible harm could come into existence only in certain circumstances of occupation or use of the land and those circumstances do not exist at that time. However, the circumstances must be reasonably foreseeable, and consistent with the approved use of the land, at that time.

ss 11–13: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

13 Choice of appropriate person to be made subject to management order

(1)  If the EPA makes a management order in respect of significantly contaminated land, the order must specify one or more appropriate persons (or public authorities that are not appropriate persons) as the subject of the management order.

(2)  The EPA is to choose the appropriate persons from among the following persons:

(a)  a person who is responsible for significant contamination of the land (whether or not there may be other persons who are also responsible),

(b)  an owner of the land (whether or not the person is responsible for contamination of the land),

(c)  a notional owner of the land (whether or not the person is responsible for contamination of the land).

(3)  In determining the appropriate persons, the EPA is, as far as practicable, to specify a person referred to in subsection (2) (a) over a person referred to in subsection (2) (b) or (c) and to specify a person referred to in subsection (2) (b) over a person referred to in subsection (2) (c).

(4)  For the purposes of this section, it is not practicable to specify a person if:

(a)  there is no such person, or

(b)  the EPA cannot, after reasonable inquiry, find out the identity or location of the person, or

(c)  the person, in the opinion of the EPA, is unable to pay the person’s debts or would, if the person took steps to comply with the management order, become unable to pay the person’s debts.

(5)  Despite subsection (2), in the case where a significant contaminant of the land originates from the use of a cattle dip site on the land in relation to a treatment ordered under the Stock Diseases Act 1923, the appropriate person is:

(a)  except in the case referred to in paragraph (b)—the Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries, or

(b)  if a person is responsible for significant contamination of the land (whether or not there are other persons who are responsible for such contamination of the land) because of the operation of section 6 (2) (b)—that person.

(6)  Any public authority may be specified as the subject of a management order whether or not as an appropriate person.

Note—

A person (including a public authority) who takes action concerning land may have rights of recovery against any relevant contaminator of the land—see Division 6.

ss 11–13: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

14 Management orders

(1)  The EPA may, by order in writing served on a person who is an appropriate person or a public authority, direct the person to do one or both of the following in relation to significantly contaminated land, within such reasonable time as is specified in the order:

(a)  carry out any action in relation to the management of the land that may be specified in the order in accordance with this Division,

(b)  submit for the EPA’s approval a plan of management of the land (a plan of management).

(2)  The EPA must serve a copy of the management order on each of the following persons in addition to any person on whom the management order has been served under subsection (1):

(a)  the owner of the land (or, if the EPA does not know the identity or address of the owner, any notional owner of the land whose identity and address are known to the EPA), and

(b)  those persons (whose identities and addresses are known to the EPA) who the EPA has reason to believe may be responsible for the significant contamination of the land.

(3)  A management order may adopt, with or without modification, a plan of management submitted in accordance with a previous management order or, at the discretion of the EPA, a plan recommended by the EPA or submitted by a site auditor.

(4)  The EPA must not serve a management order on a person unless it has considered any submissions it has received in accordance with section 11 (2) (e) as to whether the management order should be made.

(5)  Despite subsection (4), the EPA may serve a management order on a person at any time if it considers that it is in the public interest to do so.

(6)  A person (other than a public authority that is not an interested person with respect to the relevant land) served with a management order must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with the order.

Maximum penalty:

(a)  in the case of a corporation—1,250 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 600 penalty units for each day the offence continues, or

(b)  in the case of an individual—600 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 300 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(7)  Without limiting subsection (6), a person has a reasonable excuse if the person was unable to enter land because of the refusal of access to the land by its occupier in circumstances where entry to that land was essential to enable the person to comply with the relevant part of the management order.

(8)  If land ceases to be significantly contaminated land, all management orders in force in relation to the land cease to have effect.

s 14: Am 2006 No 80, Sch 3.4 [1]. Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

15 Details of management order

(1)  A management order must specify the following matters:

(a)  the significantly contaminated land to which it applies,

(b)  the nature of the significant contamination (and the nature of any harm that has been or may be caused) that the EPA believes may affect the land,

(c)  the action that the person subject to the management order must take,

(d)  a reasonable period for taking that action,

(e)  any other matter prescribed by the regulations.

(2)  The period for taking action must exceed by a reasonable amount the period for lodging an appeal against the management order, except if the EPA considers that the nature of the harm or possible harm presented by the contamination is so serious that, in the public interest, action during the period for lodging an appeal is necessary.

Note—

Part 6 provides for appeals.

(3)  A management order does not confer power on the person subject to it to enter or do anything on land, for the purposes of giving effect to the management order, without the consent of the occupier of the land.

s 15: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

16 Actions that may be required by management order

Without limiting section 14 or 15, a management order may require a person who is subject to the order to do any one or more of the following:

(a)  to investigate the existence, nature and extent of any significant contamination of the significantly contaminated land to which the order relates,

(b)  to investigate the nature and extent of any harm that has been or may be caused by the significant contamination of the land,

(c)  to investigate the most appropriate means for undertaking remediation of the land,

(d)  to carry out remediation of the land,

(e)  to monitor the effectiveness of any remediation or the risk of harm presented by the significant contamination of the land,

(f)  to erect a fence, wall, bund or other barrier in a specified place on the land,

(g)  to treat, store or contain on the land, or remove from the land and treat or dispose of, any solid or liquid materials including any soil, sand, rock or water,

(h)  to vacate, or cease to carry on any activity on, the land or any part of it,

(i)  to display on the land any specified sign or notice,

(j)  to refrain from disturbing or further disturbing the land in a specified manner or below a specified depth,

(k)  to enter any specified land (which may, but need not, be the significantly contaminated land) in order to carry out the management order,

(l)  to serve notice of the management order on those persons who occupy land, access to which is necessary for the person to carry out the management order,

(m)  to have specified actions audited by a site auditor under Part 4,

(n)  to make progress reports to the EPA,

(o)  if the person finds that groundwater is contaminated, to report that fact to the Minister administering the Water Management Act 2000,

(p)  to make available for inspection by any person, free of charge, a report on the action taken under the management order, or the plan of management, and provide a copy of such a report or plan to any person for a reasonable fee,

(q)  to advertise and conduct meetings for the public to receive progress reports, and to make comments, on the action taken under the management order or on the plan of management,

(r)  to inform the EPA of any change in the ownership or occupancy of the land, to the extent that the person is aware of the change.

s 16: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

17 Voluntary management proposals

(1)  This section applies where one or more persons furnish the EPA with a proposal for the management of significantly contaminated land (a voluntary management proposal).

(2)  The EPA may approve a voluntary management proposal in respect of one or more of the parties to the proposal (an approved party).

(3)  The EPA may approve a voluntary management proposal unconditionally or subject to conditions by notice in writing served on each approved party.

(4)  The EPA must not approve a voluntary management proposal unless it is satisfied that:

(a)  the terms of the voluntary management proposal, as modified by any conditions to be imposed by the EPA, are appropriate (including any plan of management, provision for giving notice and terms setting out a timetable or requiring progress reports), and

(b)  the parties to the proposal have taken all reasonable steps to identify and find every owner and notional owner of the land and every person responsible for significant contamination of the land, and

(c)  the parties to the proposal have given those persons identified and found a reasonable opportunity to participate in the formulation and carrying out of the proposal on reasonable terms.

(5)  Despite subsection (4), the EPA may approve a voluntary management proposal even if it is not satisfied as to the matters set out in subsection (4) (b) and (c), but only if the EPA makes it a condition of its approval that the parties to the proposal cannot recover contributions under Division 6.

(6)  The EPA may serve a management order in relation to significantly contaminated land that is the subject of an approved voluntary management proposal but only on:

(a)  an appropriate person or public authority who is not an approved party to the proposal, or

(b)  an appropriate person or public authority who is an approved party to the proposal, if in the opinion of the EPA:

(i)  the terms of the approved proposal are not carried out, or

(ii)  the management order relates to a matter that is not adequately addressed by the proposal, or

(iii)  its approval to the proposal was given on the basis of false or misleading information.

(7)  A proposal ceases to be an approved voluntary management proposal:

(a)  if the EPA by notice in writing served on each approved party:

(i)  specifies that it is satisfied that the terms of the voluntary management proposal have all been carried out, or

(ii)  withdraws at any time its approval of the voluntary management proposal, and

(b)  at the time specified in the notice, or if no time is specified, at the time the notice is served on each approved party.

(8)  If a proposal (other than a proposal referred to in subsection (5)) ceases to be an approved voluntary management proposal, the approved parties may recover contributions for carrying out requirements under the approved voluntary management proposal in accordance with Division 6 as if the requirements had been carried out under a management order.

s 17: Am 1999 No 31, Sch 1.9 [1]. Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

18–27 (Repealed)

s 18: Am 2000 No 92, Sch 8.3. Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

s 19: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

s 20: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [8].

s 21: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

s 22: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

s 23: Am 1999 No 31, Sch 1.9 [2]. Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

s 24: Am 1999 No 31, Sch 1.9 [3]–[7]. Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

ss 25–27: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

Division 3 Ongoing maintenance of management action

pt 3, div 3: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

28 Ongoing maintenance orders

(1)  This section applies to land that has been the subject of a management order or an approved voluntary management proposal (whether or not the land is significantly contaminated land).

(2)  The EPA may, by order in writing served on a person who is an owner or occupier of land to which this section applies, direct the person to do one or more of the following in relation to the land, commencing within such reasonable time as may be specified in the order:

(a)  to carry out any ongoing management of the land that is specified in the order,

(b)  to provide reports to the EPA or any other specified person at specified periods or on the occurrence of any specified event,

(c)  to inform the EPA of any change in the ownership or occupancy of the land, to the extent that the person is aware of the change,

(d)  to not carry out specified activities on the land and to not permit other persons to carry out any such activities on the land,

(e)  to not use the land for specified purposes and to not permit other persons to use the land for those purposes,

(f)  to carry out any other requirement in relation to the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the land that is prescribed by the regulations.

(3)  An ongoing maintenance order is to specify when it ceases to have effect by reference to:

(a)  the end of a specified period, or

(b)  the occurrence of a specified event or set of circumstances, or

(c)  such time as the person served with the order ceases to be the owner or occupier (as the case requires) of the land.

(4)  A person must comply with an ongoing maintenance order that is served on the person.

Maximum penalty:

(a)  in the case of a corporation—600 penalty units, or

(b)  in the case of an individual—300 penalty units.

s 28: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

29 Ongoing maintenance—restrictions and covenants

(1)  This section applies to land that is not vested in the EPA and that has been the subject of a management order or an approved voluntary management proposal.

(2)  The EPA may, under section 88E of the Conveyancing Act 1919, impose restrictions on the use of, or impose public positive covenants on, any land to which this section applies for the purpose of the ongoing management of the land and may release or vary any such restriction or covenant.

(3)  A public positive covenant or restriction imposed under this section may require any owner (for the time being) of the land to do one or more of the following in relation to the land:

(a)  to carry out any ongoing management of the land that is specified,

(b)  to provide reports to the EPA or any other specified person at specified periods or on the occurrence of any specified event,

(c)  to inform the EPA of any change in the ownership or occupancy of the land, to the extent that the person is aware of the change,

(d)  to not carry out specified activities on the land and to not permit other persons to carry out any such activities on the land,

(e)  to not use the land for specified purposes and to not permit other persons to use the land for those purposes,

(f)  to carry out any other requirement in relation to the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the land that is prescribed by the regulations.

(4)  Despite section 88E of the Conveyancing Act 1919:

(a)  the memorandum or deed by which the restriction or covenant referred to in subsection (2) is imposed, released or varied:

(i)  need be executed only by the EPA and not by any other person, and

(ii)  does not require the agreement of any other person, and

(b)  where a restriction or public positive covenant referred to in subsection (2) takes effect, the EPA may enforce it against any person.

s 29: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

Division 4 Action by public authority

pt 3, div 4: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

30 Public authority may step in if person fails to act

If a person fails to comply with any requirement of an order under this Part, the EPA may carry out the requirement or may, by notice in writing, order another public authority to carry out that requirement.

pt 3, div 5 (ss 30–33): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

31 Duty of public authority

(1)  A public authority that is subject to an order under this Part (whether or not as an appropriate person and whether or not because of the failure of a person to comply with an order under this Part) must comply with that order.

(2)  A public authority may carry out any requirement of an order under this Part by itself or its employees or by agents or contractors.

pt 3, div 5 (ss 30–33): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

Division 5 Entry on land

pt 3, div 5 (ss 30–33): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

32 Refusal of entry on land

(1)  An order under this Part does not confer any power to enter land, remain on land or do anything on land, without the permission of the occupier of the land.

(2)  However, if the occupier withholds or withdraws that permission, the EPA may revoke or suspend the order and instead make an order to which the occupier is subject as if the occupier were the appropriate person.

(3)  If the occupier carries out the requirements of an order, the occupier may recover costs in accordance with Division 6 as if the occupier was the appropriate person.

pt 3, div 5 (ss 30–33): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

33 Liability for losses

(1)  A person who (with the permission of the occupier) enters any land, or does anything else on land, as required by an order under this Part, is liable (except as prescribed by the regulations) to the occupier of the land for any loss suffered by the occupier as a result of the entry or other actions (including any loss suffered by the occupier because of the interruption of the occupier’s business on that land by that entry or those actions).

(2)  A person (other than the owner of land) who (with the permission of the occupier) enters the land, or does anything else on the land, as required by an order under this Part, is liable (except as prescribed by the regulations) to the owner of the land for any loss suffered by the owner as a result of that entry or those actions or for any injury to the land caused by that person.

(3)  In addition to any liability that a person who enters land as referred to in this section may have, the person has a duty to meet the reasonable costs and expenses of the owner and the occupier of the land in providing access to that land as referred to in this section.

(4)  A person has a duty to:

(a)  take reasonable steps to minimise the loss and injury referred to in this section caused by the person’s actions, and

(b)  take reasonable steps towards restitution in respect of that loss or injury (except as prescribed by the regulations), and

(c)  compensate the party that suffered the loss or injury for which the person is liable to the extent that restitution is not practicable (except as prescribed by the regulations).

pt 3, div 5 (ss 30–33): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

Division 6 Costs

pt 3, div 6: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

33A Recovery of money under this Division

An amount that is required to be paid or entitled to be recovered under this Division may be recovered as a debt in a court of competent jurisdiction.

s 33A: Ins 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

34 Recovery of EPA’s costs

The EPA may, by notice in writing, require a person to pay (at the prescribed rate or amount, or if no such rate or amount is prescribed, at a reasonable rate or amount) all or any costs incurred by the EPA in connection with any one or more of the following:

(a)  preparing and serving an order under this Part to which the person is subject or in assessing and settling the terms of any voluntary management proposal to which the person is a party,

(b)  monitoring action under such an order or under an approved voluntary management proposal to which the person is an approved party within the meaning of section 17,

(c)  seeking the compliance of the person with any such order or approved voluntary management proposal,

(d)  any other matter associated with, or incidental to, the matters set out in paragraphs (a)–(c),

(e)  any other matter prescribed by the regulations.

s 34: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

35 Recovery of public authority’s costs in carrying out order

(1)  A public authority may, by notice in writing, require a person to pay all or any costs reasonably incurred by the public authority in connection with the public authority’s carrying out, under section 30, of the requirements of an order made in respect of the person.

(2)  A public authority may, by notice in writing, require an owner of land to pay all or any costs reasonably incurred (and not recovered under subsection (1)) by the public authority in connection with the public authority’s carrying out (otherwise than as an appropriate person) of the requirements of an order made in respect of the land (whether or not the order was made in respect of the owner).

(3)  A public authority may enter into an arrangement with the owner of land for the payment of any cost under subsection (2), including an arrangement for the periodic, partial or deferred payment of such a cost, or for the compromise of any debt to which the arrangement relates.

s 35: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

36 Recovery of other costs

(1) Person subject to order is not contaminator A person:

(a)  who carries out the requirements of a management order in relation to the significant contamination of land, and

(b)  who is not responsible for the significant contamination,

may recover the person’s costs in carrying out those requirements as a portion from each person who is responsible for the significant contamination.

(2)  A person:

(a)  who carries out the requirements of a preliminary investigation order in relation to specific land, and

(b)  who is not responsible for any significant contamination of that land,

may recover the person’s costs in carrying out those requirements as a portion from each person who is responsible for significant contamination to that land.

(3) Person subject to order is contaminator A person:

(a)  who carries out the requirements of a management order in relation to the significant contamination of land, and

(b)  who is responsible for the significant contamination,

may recover a portion of the person’s costs in carrying out those requirements from each other person who is responsible for the significant contamination.

(4) Recovery by owner If:

(a)  an owner (or notional owner) of land pays any costs specified in a notice under section 34 or 35 with respect to a management order, and

(b)  the owner (or notional owner) is not responsible for the significant contamination concerned,

the owner (or notional owner) may recover a portion of the amount paid from each person who is responsible for the significant contamination.

(5) Portion The portion referred to in this section must reflect what is reasonable and just in the circumstances, including the following circumstances:

(a)  the proportion of responsibility of each person for the significant contamination,

(b)  the reasonable cost of any steps taken by each person in respect of managing the significant contamination.

(6) Reference to person In this section, a reference to a person includes a reference to a public authority.

(7) Persons entering voluntary management proposal may agree section not to apply If the parties to a voluntary management proposal have agreed that this section is not to apply as among themselves, this section does not apply to allow the recovery of any costs by one party from a second party unless the second party has failed to comply with the terms of the proposal.

(8) Costs For the purposes of this section, the costs of a person in carrying out the requirements of a management order include any amount for which the person is liable, or reasonable cost that the person has a duty to meet, under section 34 or 35.

s 36: Am 1999 No 31, Sch 1.9 [8]–[11]; 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [2] [3]. Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

37 Public authority’s priority if owner insolvent

If a public authority carries out (otherwise than as an appropriate person) the requirements of an order under this Part in respect of land disclaimed (by a liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy) as onerous property in the course of proceedings for winding up or bankruptcy, the public authority may recover the cost of carrying out the order together with a reasonable commercial rate of interest and all associated administrative or other costs and expenses so incurred in priority to any holder of a security over the land.

s 37: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

38 Limit on liability of representative or trustee

(1)  The financial liability under this Division of a legal personal representative in respect of an estate (or of a trustee of property), that is or includes or is part of significantly contaminated land, is limited respectively to such value of the assets of the estate (or such value of the property) as the representative or trustee may lawfully realise to meet a liability under this Division.

(2)  A person is not, in such a capacity, personally liable for any costs under this Act that relate to an order under this Part that relates to the land and is not required to carry out such an order to a greater extent than may be paid for by the person’s lawfully realising the assets of the estate or the property to meet those costs or that payment.

(3)  A reference in this section to a trustee of property includes the Public Trustee to the extent that the property is deemed to be vested in it under section 61 of the Probate and Administration Act 1898.

s 38: Am 2006 No 80, Sch 3.4 [2]. Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

39 Registration of cost notices

(1)  A public authority that issues a notice to an owner of land under section 35 (2) may apply to the Registrar-General for registration of the notice in relation to any land that is owned by the person and was the subject of the management order to which the notice relates.

(2)  An application under this section must specify the land to which it relates.

(3)  The Registrar-General must, on application under this section and lodgment of a copy of the notice, register the notice in relation to the land in such manner as the Registrar-General thinks fit.

s 39: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

40 Charge on land subject to cost notice

(1) Creation of charge On the registration of a notice under section 39, a charge is created on the land in relation to which the notice is registered to secure the payment to the public authority specified in the notice.

(2) When charge ceases to have effect Such a charge ceases to have effect in relation to the land when the first of the following occurs:

(a)  the payment by the person to the public authority of the amount concerned,

(b)  the completion of the sale or other disposition of the land with the consent of the public authority,

(c)  the completion of the sale of the land to a purchaser, in good faith for value, who, at the time of the sale, has no notice of the charge.

(3) Charge is not subject to existing charges and encumbrances Such a charge has priority over every charge or encumbrance to which the land was subject immediately before the notice was registered and, in the case of land under the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900, has priority over every mortgage, lease or other interest recorded in the Register kept under that Act.

(4) Charge not affected by change of ownership Such a charge is not affected by any change of ownership of the land, except as provided by subsection (2).

(5) Registration of charge is notice If:

(a)  such a charge is created on land of a particular kind and the provisions of any law of the State provide for the registration of title to, or charges over, land of that kind, and

(b)  the charge is so registered,

a person who purchases or otherwise acquires the land after the registration of the charge is, for the purposes of subsection (2), taken to have notice of the charge.

(6) Charge on Torrens land not effective until registered If such a charge relates to land under the provisions of the Real Property Act 1900, the charge has no effect until it is registered under that Act.

s 40: Am 2009 No 17, Sch 3.4. Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

41 Removal of charge

(1)  When a charge under this Division ceases to have effect, the relevant public authority must apply to the Registrar-General for the cancellation or removal of the relevant notice registered under section 39.

(2)  The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the removal of a charge under this Division.

s 41: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

42 Repayment of appropriations out of Consolidated Fund

(1)  This section applies if the costs of a public authority in carrying out the requirements of an order under this Part are partly or fully met out of money appropriated by Parliament specifically for the management of contaminated land.

(2)  If a public authority recovers, under this Division, part or all of the cost of carrying out the requirements of the order, the authority must repay, into the Consolidated Fund or such other fund as may be directed by the Treasurer, a portion of the amount recovered.

(3)  The portion referred to in subsection (2) must reflect the proportion that the money provided by Parliament bore to the total costs incurred by the authority in carrying out the requirements of the order.

s 42: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

Division 7 General

pt 3, div 7 (ss 43–46): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

43 Multiple orders and notices

More than one order or notice may be served under a provision of this Part on the same person or in respect of the same land, or both.

pt 3, div 7 (ss 43–46): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

44 Amendment or repeal of orders and notices

(1)  An order or notice under this Part (the original instrument) may be amended or repealed by one or more subsequent orders or notices (the amending instrument).

(2)  An amending instrument:

(a)  must state the reasons for the amendment or repeal, and

(b)  must, as far as is reasonably practicable, be served on the persons on whom the original instrument was required to be served, and

(c)  must not declare land that is not significantly contaminated land to be significantly contaminated land unless the amending instrument is made in accordance with sections 11 and 12, and

(d)  is taken to be made under the same provisions of this Act as the original instrument, and

(e)  is not otherwise required to comply with the provisions of this Part with respect to the making of an original instrument.

(3)  Nothing in this section enables the amendment of an original instrument so that, as amended, it would not have been in accordance with this Act originally to make it.

pt 3, div 7 (ss 43–46): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

45 Obstruction of persons

(1)  A person must not wilfully delay or obstruct a person (including a public authority) who is carrying out any action in compliance with an order or notice under this Part.

Maximum penalty:

(a)  in the case of a corporation—1,250 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 600 penalty units for each day the offence continues, or

(b)  in the case of an individual—600 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 300 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(2)  It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence under this section if the defendant establishes that the delay or obstruction to the person occurred in a situation in which the person was present on the land without the permission of the occupier or contrary to the terms of the occupier’s permission.

pt 3, div 7 (ss 43–46): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

46 EPA may issue clean-up and prevention notices

The EPA may issue a notice or direction in accordance with Part 4.2 or 4.3 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 in relation to significantly contaminated land:

(a)  as if it were the appropriate regulatory authority within the meaning of that Act, and

(b)  despite any order or approved voluntary management proposal relating to the land,

and any such notice or direction is taken to have been issued under that Act.

pt 3, div 7 (ss 43–46): Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [9].

Part 4 Site audits

pt 4, hdg: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [10].

47 Definition

In this Part, a reference to a statutory site audit is a reference to a site audit carried out in order to secure compliance with one or more of the following:

(a)  a requirement under this Act,

(b)  an approved voluntary management proposal,

(c)  a requirement imposed by State Environmental Planning Policy No 55—Remediation of Land or by any other environmental planning instrument made under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 or by any development consent or approval given under that Act,

(d)  any other requirement imposed by or under an Act,

unless it is carried out only in order to secure compliance with a legal obligation arising from an agreement or arising in such other circumstances as the regulations may prescribe.

s 47: Am 1999 No 31, Sch 1.9 [12]; 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [4]–[8]. Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [11].

48 Statutory site audits

(1)  An individual must not:

(a)  carry out a statutory site audit, or

(b)  make any representation, or cause or allow any representation to be made, to the effect that he or she is prepared to carry out a statutory site audit,

if the individual is not accredited under this Part or while his or her accreditation is under suspension.

Maximum penalty: 600 penalty units.

(2)  A body corporate must not:

(a)  purport to carry out a statutory site audit, or

(b)  make any representation, or cause or allow any representation to be made, to the effect that it is capable of doing so.

Maximum penalty: 1,250 penalty units.

s 48: Am 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [9].

49 Accreditation panel

(1)  The EPA is to convene an accreditation panel.

(2)  The accreditation panel is to consist of 4 or more members appointed by the EPA, each having appropriate technical expertise, of whom at least:

(a)  one is to be an officer of the EPA who is to be appointed by the EPA as the Chairperson, and

(b)  one is to be a representative of community environmental groups appointed on the nomination of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Incorporated, and

(c)  one is to be a representative of industry, and

(d)  one is to have tertiary qualifications in a discipline relevant to the contamination of land.

(3)  The functions of the accreditation panel are:

(a)  to make recommendations to the EPA regarding the suitability of an applicant for accreditation, and

(b)  to provide such other advice to the EPA as the EPA may request.

(4)  The procedure of the accreditation panel is to be determined by the EPA or (subject to any determination of the EPA) by the accreditation panel.

(5)  A member of the accreditation panel holds office for such period (not exceeding 5 years) as is specified in the member’s instrument of appointment, but is eligible (if otherwise qualified) for re-appointment.

(6)  The EPA may remove a member from the accreditation panel at any time by giving the member notice in writing.

(7)  A member of the accreditation panel is entitled to such allowances in connection with the work of the panel as the EPA approves in respect of the member.

(8)  Anything done or omitted to be done by a member of the accreditation panel in exercising the functions conferred or imposed on the panel or member by or under this or any other Act does not, if the thing was done or omitted to be done in good faith, subject the member personally to any action, liability, claim or demand.

s 49: Subst 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [10].

50 Application for accreditation as site auditor

(1)  An individual may apply to the EPA for accreditation as a site auditor.

(2)  An application for accreditation as a site auditor must:

(a)  be made in the manner and form approved by the EPA, and

(b)  be supported by any information required by the EPA, and

(c)  be accompanied by the application fee (if any) prescribed by the regulations.

(3)  Each application for accreditation is to be referred by the EPA to the accreditation panel.

(4)  If the EPA considers it necessary in order to determine the suitability of an applicant for accreditation, the EPA may require the applicant to do one or more of the following:

(a)  to furnish to the EPA, within a specified time, any further particulars that the EPA considers necessary,

(b)  to appear before the accreditation panel for an interview,

(c)  to undergo an examination as to his or her knowledge.

(5)  The accreditation panel is to make a recommendation to the EPA regarding the suitability of an applicant for accreditation.

(6)  The EPA may accept or reject the recommendation of the accreditation panel.

s 50: Am 1998 No 120, Sch 1.9 [2]; 2002 No 14, Sch 1 [1]–[7]. Subst 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [10].

51 Grant of accreditation as site auditor

(1)  The EPA is to determine an application for accreditation as a site auditor by granting or refusing the application.

(2)  The EPA may refuse to grant the application:

(a)  if the applicant fails to comply with section 50 or a requirement made under that section, or

(b)  if, in the opinion of the EPA, the applicant fails to satisfy the requirements of the guidelines in relation to eligibility for accreditation as a site auditor, or

(c)  if, within the period of 2 years before the date the application was made, the EPA revoked or refused to renew the applicant’s accreditation as a site auditor, or

(d)  for any other reason that the EPA considers sufficient.

(3)  The EPA must give notice in writing of the determination of the application to the applicant, including:

(a)  if the application is granted, notice of the period for which accreditation is granted and any conditions to which the accreditation is subject, and

(b)  if the application is refused, the reasons for the refusal.

(4)  An accreditation remains in force for the period specified by the EPA (not exceeding 3 years), subject to any revocation or suspension of the accreditation under this Act.

(5)  The regulations may require an accreditation fee to be paid to the EPA, in respect of a grant of accreditation, within the time determined by the EPA.

(6)  The accreditation fee is to be calculated on the basis of the period for which accreditation is granted.

s 51: Am 1998 No 120, Sch 1.9 [3]. Subst 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [10].

52 Renewal of accreditation

(1)  An application for renewal of accreditation as a site auditor must:

(a)  be made in the manner and form approved by the EPA, and

(b)  be supported by any information required by the EPA, and

(c)  be made within the time (if any) prescribed by the regulations.

(2)  The EPA may require an applicant to furnish to the EPA, within a specified time, any further particulars that the EPA considers necessary to determine the suitability of the applicant for renewal of accreditation.

(3)  The EPA is to determine an application for renewal of accreditation as a site auditor by granting or refusing the application.

(4)  The EPA may refuse to grant renewal of accreditation as a site auditor on any of the grounds referred to in section 56 (1) or if the applicant fails to comply with this section or a requirement made under this section.

(5)  The EPA must give notice in writing of the determination of the application to the applicant, including:

(a)  if the application is granted, notice of the period for which the renewal of accreditation is granted and any conditions to which the accreditation is subject, and

(b)  if the application is refused, the reasons for the refusal.

(6)  If an application for renewal of an accreditation that is in force is made to the EPA within the time (if any) prescribed by the regulations, the accreditation remains in force until notice in writing of the determination of the application is given to the applicant.

(7)  If the application is granted, the applicant’s accreditation remains in force for the period specified by the EPA (not exceeding 3 years), subject to any revocation or suspension of the accreditation under this Act.

(8)  If the application is refused, the applicant’s accreditation expires when notice in writing of the determination of the application is given to the applicant.

(9)  The regulations may require an accreditation fee to be paid to the EPA, in respect of a grant of a renewal of accreditation, within the time determined by the EPA.

(10)  The accreditation fee is to be calculated on the basis of the period for which accreditation is granted.

s 52: Subst 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [10].

53 Conditions of accreditation

(1)  The EPA may grant accreditation or a renewal of accreditation unconditionally or subject to conditions.

(2)  In addition, at any time while the accreditation is in force or suspended, the EPA may by notice in writing given to the site auditor:

(a)  impose conditions or further conditions on the accreditation, or

(b)  vary or revoke any of the conditions to which the accreditation is subject.

(3)  A condition imposed by the EPA, or the variation or revocation of a condition, takes effect on the date specified in the notice or on the date on which it is given to the site auditor, whichever is the later.

(4)  The regulations may impose a condition on an accreditation or class of accreditation.

(5)  Subject to the regulations, a condition imposed by the regulations cannot be varied or revoked by the EPA and prevails to the extent of any inconsistency over a condition or direction imposed or given by the EPA under this Part.

(6)  A condition imposed by the EPA may also be varied by a direction given under section 53A.

Note—

Contravention of a condition is not an offence but is grounds for non-renewal, revocation or suspension of accreditation.

s 53: Am 1999 No 31, Sch 1.9 [13]; 2002 No 14, Sch 1 [8] [9]. Subst 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [10].

53A Directions

(1)  The EPA may, by notice in writing given to a site auditor, direct the site auditor:

(a)  to take specified action, or refrain from taking specified action, relating to the conduct of a site audit or class of site audits, or the making of site audit reports and site audit statements, or

(b)  to refrain from conducting a particular site audit or class of site audits for a specified period or until further notice by the EPA.

(2)  A direction takes effect on the date specified in the notice or on the date on which it is given to the site auditor, whichever is the later.

Note—

Contravention of a direction is not an offence but is grounds for non-renewal, revocation or suspension of accreditation.

ss 53A–53C: Ins 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [10].

53B Site audit reports and site audit statements

(1)  A site auditor must make a site audit report in writing whenever he or she carries out a site audit and furnish that report to the person who commissioned the site audit.

(2)  The site audit report must contain a critical review of the information collected in relation to the site audit and must clearly set out the reasons for the findings proposed to be contained in the relevant site audit statement.

(3)  After completing the site audit report, the site auditor must make a site audit statement in a form approved by the EPA and must:

(a)  furnish that statement to the person who commissioned the site audit, and

(b)  if the site audit is a statutory site audit, at the same time furnish a copy of the statement to the EPA and the local authority for the area in which any land the subject of the site audit is situated.

(4)  The site audit statement must contain the site auditor’s findings in relation to the site audit and must be consistent with the reasons set out in the site auditor’s site audit report.

(5)  A site auditor must promptly furnish the EPA with any further information, in support of or otherwise relating to a site audit report or a site audit statement, or concerning any site audit carried out by the site auditor, as the EPA may, by notice in writing to the site auditor, require.

(6)  A site audit is to be carried out, and a site audit report and site audit statement are to be prepared and furnished, by a site auditor:

(a)  in compliance with the provisions of this Act and the regulations, and

(b)  in accordance with the guidelines, and

(c)  having regard to the provisions of any environmental planning instruments applying to the site.

ss 53A–53C: Ins 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [10].

53C Notification to EPA of statutory site audit

A site auditor must, within 7 days of being commissioned to carry out a statutory site audit by any person other than the EPA, give to the EPA a notice in writing specifying the name of the person commissioning the site audit and the location of the land to which the site audit relates.

ss 53A–53C: Ins 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [10].

53D Annual returns and other notifications

(1)  A site auditor who is accredited for the whole or part of a return period must furnish the EPA with a return showing site audits commenced or completed during that period.

(2)  The return must be furnished not later than the 31 July next following the end of the return period.

(3)  The return must include particulars of a kind (if any) prescribed by the regulations in respect of each site audit mentioned in the return.

(4)  A site auditor must, within 14 days of any material change in the circumstances of his or her employment or of any other change that may affect the site auditor’s accreditation or work as an accredited site auditor, give the EPA notice in writing containing details of the change.

(5)  Without limiting subsection (4), a site auditor must, within 14 days of any of the following matters occurring, give the EPA notice in writing of the details of the matter:

(a)  any change to the site auditor’s team,

(b)  any change to the site auditor’s professional indemnity insurance,

(c)  the commencement of any legal or disciplinary action against the site auditor:

(i)  in his or her professional capacity as a site auditor, or

(ii)  in relation to the site auditor’s work in relation to the management of actual or possible contamination of land, or

(iii)  in relation to the site auditor’s accreditation in another jurisdiction (including a condition or restriction placed on the accreditation),

(d)  any other matter prescribed by the regulations.

(6)  In this section:

accreditation in another jurisdiction includes the appointment, registration, licensing, approval, admission, certification (including by way of practising certificates), or any other form of authorisation, of a person required by or under legislation of another jurisdiction for the carrying out of audits relating to the actual or possible contamination of land.

return period means a year commencing on 1 July and ending on 30 June.

site auditor’s team means those persons that the site auditor has identified, in his or her application for accreditation or renewal of accreditation or in a notice in writing given to the EPA, as providing expertise or technical resources to the site auditor.

s 53D: Ins 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [10]. Am 2006 No 120, Sch 1.5 [1] [2]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [12].

54 Site auditor to avoid conflicts of interest

(1)  A site auditor must not carry out a site audit of land:

(a)  if he or she is or is related to a person by whom any part of the land is owned or occupied, or

(b)  if he or she has a pecuniary interest in any part of the land or any activity carried out on any part of the land, or

(c)  if it involves the site auditor reviewing any aspect of work carried out by, or a report written by, the site auditor or a person to whom the site auditor is related.

(2)  A site auditor has a pecuniary interest for the purposes of this section if there is a reasonable likelihood or expectation of appreciable financial gain or loss to the site auditor, or to a person to whom he or she is related, from the relevant part or activity, but does not have such an interest if the interest is so remote or insignificant that it could not reasonably be regarded as likely to influence any decision that the site auditor might make in relation to a site audit of the land.

(3)  A site auditor is related to a person for the purposes of this section if the site auditor:

(a)  is an employer, partner or employee of the person, or

(b)  is a spouse, de facto partner, sibling, parent or child of the person, or

(c)  has a contractual arrangement with the person that might reasonably be seen to give rise to a conflict between the site auditor’s duties as a site auditor and the site auditor’s interests under the arrangement, or

(d)  is employed by the same employer as the person.

(4)  In this section:

de facto partner of a person means the other party to a de facto relationship (within the meaning of the Property (Relationships) Act 1984) with the person.

s 54: Am 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [11] [12]; 2008 No 23, Sch 3.13.

55 (Repealed)

s 55: Subst 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [13]. Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [13].

56 Revocation, suspension or refusal to renew accreditation

(1)  The EPA may, by notice in writing given to a site auditor, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the site auditor’s accreditation if it is of the opinion that one or more of the following grounds exist:

(a)  the site auditor no longer satisfies the requirements of the guidelines in relation to eligibility for accreditation as a site auditor,

(b)  the site auditor has contravened:

(i)  any of the provisions of this Part, or

(ii)  any of the provisions of the regulations, or

(iii)  a condition to which the accreditation is subject, or

(iv)  a direction given to the site auditor by the EPA under this Part,

(c)  the site auditor is not carrying out sufficient bona fide site audits to justify continued accreditation,

(d)  the site auditor’s accreditation in another jurisdiction has been changed because of conduct that would (if it occurred in New South Wales) authorise revocation or suspension of the person’s accreditation under this Act,

Note—

Section 33 of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 of the Commonwealth states that if a person’s registration in an occupation in a State is cancelled, suspended or subject to a condition in relation to criminal, civil or disciplinary proceedings, then the person’s registration in the equivalent occupation in another State is affected in the same way. See also section 32 of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 of the Commonwealth which has a similar provision in relation to disciplinary proceedings occurring in New Zealand.

(e)  the site auditor provided false or misleading information in connection with an application for accreditation or renewal of accreditation,

(f)  the site auditor fails to pay an accreditation fee within the time determined by the EPA, or such further time as the EPA may allow,

(g)  any other ground prescribed by the regulations,

(h)  the action is justified having regard to:

(i)  the quality of the site auditor’s work in relation to site audits in recent accreditation periods, or

(ii)  any formal or informal disciplinary action taken against the site auditor under this Act, or

(iii)  any other matter that the EPA considers to be relevant to the site auditor’s suitability for accreditation.

(2)  A suspension of accreditation may be for a specified period, until completion of specified conditions, or until further notice by the EPA.

(3)  If a site auditor’s accreditation is suspended until the fulfilment of specified conditions, the EPA must give the site auditor notice in writing that the accreditation is reinstated as soon as practicable after it is satisfied that the specified conditions have been fulfilled.

(4)  A suspension of accreditation has effect:

(a)  for the period specified in the notice effecting the suspension, or

(b)  if no period is specified in the notice, or if accreditation is suspended until the fulfilment of specified conditions, for the period:

(i)  commencing on the date specified in the notice or on the date on which it is given to the site auditor, whichever is the later, and

(ii)  finishing on the date the EPA gives the site auditor notice in writing that the site auditor’s accreditation is reinstated or revoked.

(5)  An accreditation is taken not to be in force during the period in which a suspension has effect.

(6)  A revocation of accreditation takes effect on the date specified in the notice given by the EPA or on the date on which it is given to the site auditor, whichever is the later.

(7)  The EPA may revoke an accreditation that is suspended.

(8)  The EPA must not suspend, revoke or refuse to renew accreditation on a ground specified in this section unless before doing so:

(a)  it has given notice in writing to the site auditor that it intends to do so, and

(b)  it has specified in that notice the reasons for its intention to do so, and

(c)  it has given the site auditor a reasonable opportunity to make submissions in relation to the proposed revocation, suspension or refusal to renew, and

(d)  it has taken into consideration any submissions made by the site auditor.

(9)  In this section:

accreditation in another jurisdiction includes the appointment, registration, licensing, approval, admission, certification (including by way of practising certificates), or any other form of authorisation, of a person required by or under legislation of another jurisdiction for the carrying out of audits relating to the actual or possible contamination of land.

s 56: Am 1998 No 120, Sch 1.9 [4]. Subst 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [13].

57 Holding out

(1)  An individual must not make any representation, or cause or allow any representation to be made, to the effect that the individual is accredited under this Part if he or she is not so accredited or while his or her accreditation is under suspension.

Maximum penalty: 600 penalty units.

(1A)  An individual must not make any representation, or cause or allow any representation to be made, to the effect that the individual is authorised by his or her accreditation to carry out a statutory site audit, or class of statutory site audits, if the individual is prohibited from carrying out that site audit or class of site audits by a condition of his or her accreditation.

Maximum penalty: 600 penalty units.

(2)  A body corporate must not, at any time, make any representation, or cause or allow any representation to be made, to the effect that it is accredited under this Part.

Maximum penalty: 1,250 penalty units.

s 57: Am 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [14].

Part 5 Information

58 Record to be maintained by the EPA

(1)  The EPA is to maintain a record that consists of the following:

(a)  a copy of the relevant notice under section 11 that relates to land that is significantly contaminated land,

(b)  a copy of any preliminary investigation order,

(c)  a copy of any other order under Part 3 that has not been revoked or ceased to have effect,

(d)  a copy of any site audit statement furnished to the EPA under section 53B that relates to land that is significantly contaminated land,

(e)  a copy of any approved voluntary management proposal that has not been fully carried out and where the EPA’s approval has not been revoked,

(f)  as far as reasonably practicable, a copy of anything that was formerly required to be included as part of the record (marked in such a way as to show that it no longer has effect),

(g)  anything prescribed by the regulations.

(2)  A copy of the record (whether in electronic or other form) is to be available for public inspection:

(a)  at the principal office of the EPA, and

(b)  on the Department’s internet website, and

(c)  at such other places as the EPA thinks fit.

(3)  The EPA must, on application by any person, provide a copy of parts of the record.

(4)  The record may be inspected and copies of parts may be obtained during ordinary office hours and on payment of fees determined by the EPA (or during such hours, and on payment of such fees, as are prescribed instead by the regulations).

(5)  The regulations may prescribe any or all of the following:

(a)  the hours when the record may be inspected and when copies of parts of it may be obtained,

(b)  fees for the inspection of the record,

(c)  fees for copies of parts of the record.

s 58: Am 2004 No 55, Sch 2.4 [1]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [14].

59 Local authorities to be informed

(1)  The EPA must, as soon as practicable after the occurrence of any of the following in relation to land, inform the local authority for the area in which land is situated of that matter:

(a)  the land being declared to be significantly contaminated land or ceasing to be significantly contaminated land,

(b)  a management order in relation to the land being served on a person or being revoked,

(c)  the EPA giving its approval or withdrawing its approval for a voluntary management proposal in relation to the land or a voluntary management proposal in relation to the land being completed to the satisfaction of the EPA,

(d)  an ongoing maintenance order in relation to the land being served on a person or being revoked.

(2)  For the purposes of section 149 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the following matters are prescribed in addition to any other matters, prescribed by the regulations under that section, to be specified in a certificate under that section:

(a)  that the land to which the certificate relates is significantly contaminated land—if the land (or part of the land) is significantly contaminated land at the date when the certificate is issued,

(b)  that the land to which the certificate relates is subject to a management order—if it is subject to such an order at the date when the certificate is issued,

(c)  that the land to which the certificate relates is the subject of an approved voluntary management proposal—if it is the subject of such an approved proposal at the date when the certificate is issued,

(d)  that the land to which the certificate relates is subject to an ongoing maintenance order—if it is subject to such an order at the date when the certificate is issued,

(e)  that the land to which the certificate relates is the subject of a site audit statement—if a copy of such a statement has been provided at any time to the local authority issuing the certificate.

Note—

Section 53B requires site auditors to furnish local authorities with copies of site audit statements relating to site audits for the purposes of statutory requirements.

(3)  If a local authority, under section 149 (5) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, includes advice in a certificate in relation to a matter set out in subsection (2) (a)–(e) that no longer applies to the land, the authority is to make this clear on the certificate.

s 59: Am 2004 No 55, Sch 2.4 [2] [3]. Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [15].

60 Duty to report contamination

(1)  A person whose activities have contaminated land must notify the EPA in writing in accordance with this section that the land has been so contaminated.

Maximum penalty:

(a)  in the case of a corporation—1,500 penalty units, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 700 penalty units for each day the offence continues, or

(b)  in the case of an individual—700 penalty units, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 300 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(2)  An owner of land that has been contaminated (whether before or during the owner’s ownership of the land) must notify the EPA in writing in accordance with this section that the land has been so contaminated.

Maximum penalty:

(a)  in the case of a corporation—1,500 penalty units, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 700 penalty units for each day the offence continues, or

(b)  in the case of an individual—700 penalty units, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 300 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

(3)  A person is required to notify the EPA under subsection (1) or (2) only if:

(a)  each of the following is true:

(i)  the substance contaminating the land (the contaminant) or any by-product of the contaminant has entered or will foreseeably enter neighbouring land, the atmosphere, groundwater or surface water,

(ii)  the regulations prescribe for the purposes of this subparagraph, or the guidelines specify, a level of the contaminant or by-product in the neighbouring land, atmosphere, groundwater or surface water,

(iii)  the level of the contaminant or by-product after that entry is, or will foreseeably be, above the level prescribed or specified and will foreseeably continue to remain above that level, or

(b)  a guideline specifies a level of the contaminant in soils with respect to a current or approved use of the land and the level of the contaminant on or in any part of the soil on that land is equal to or above that specified in the guideline and a person has been, or foreseeably will be, exposed to the contaminant or any by-product of the contaminant, or

(c)  the contamination meets any other criteria that may be prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subsection.

(4)  A person is required to notify the EPA under this section as soon as practicable after the person becomes aware of the contamination.

(5)  A person is taken to be aware of contamination for the purposes of this section if the person ought reasonably to have been aware of the contamination.

(6)  A notice under this section is to be in a form approved by the EPA and is to specify the following matters to the extent that they are within the knowledge of the person required to give the notice:

(a)  the location of the land,

(b)  the activities that have contaminated the land,

(c)  the nature of the contamination,

(d)  the nature of the risk posed by the contamination,

(e)  any other matter prescribed by the regulations.

(7)  Information provided by a person for the purpose of complying with this section is not admissible as evidence in any proceedings against that person for an offence under the environment protection legislation (except in proceedings for an offence under this section).

(8)  The EPA may identify land as significantly contaminated land or make an order under Part 3 in respect of any person, whether or not the person has notified the EPA in accordance with this section.

(9)  The following are to be taken into account in determining when a person should reasonably have become aware of contamination:

(a)  the person’s abilities, including his or her experience, qualifications and training,

(b)  whether the person could reasonably have sought advice that would have made the person aware of the contamination,

(c)  the circumstances of the contamination.

(10)  The regulations may exempt, or provide for the exemption of:

(a)  any person or class of persons, or

(b)  any premises or class of premises, or

(c)  any area or class of areas, or

(d)  any activity or class of activities, or

(e)  any other matter or thing or class of matters or things,

from any specified provision or provisions of this section in such circumstances (if any) and subject to such conditions (if any) as may be specified or referred to in the regulations.

(11)  In this section, a reference to the level of a contaminant or by-product of a contaminant includes a reference to the concentration of the contaminant or by-product.

s 60: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [15].

Part 6 Appeals

61 Appeals about management orders

(1)  A person who is the subject of a management order may appeal to the Land and Environment Court against the order within 21 days (or such other period as may be prescribed) after the date of the service of the order on the person.

(2)  An appeal may be made under subsection (1) even if the management order required action to be started (or completed) during the period within which any such appeal may be made.

s 61: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [16].

62 Determination of appeals

(1)  The Land and Environment Court may hear and determine an appeal under this Act.

(2)  In determining such an appeal, the Court:

(a)  may confirm an order, or

(b)    (Repealed)

(c)  may revoke an order and make no further order, or

(d)  may revoke the order and make any other order that the EPA might make under Part 3.

(3)  An order made by the Court under subsection (2):

(a)  takes effect on and from a date specified by the Court, and

(b)  otherwise operates as if it were made by the EPA under Part 3.

(4)  The decision of the Court in an appeal under this Act is final and binding on the appellant and the EPA.

s 62: Am 2000 No 93, Sch 2.9 [1]–[5].

Part 7 Orders against directors or companies to manage contamination at own expense

pt 7, hdg: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [17].

63 Director of body corporate that is wound up

(1)  The Land and Environment Court may order a person to comply with a management order at the person’s own expense if the person was a director of, or a person concerned in the management of, a body corporate that:

(a)  has been wound up within the 2 years before the Court’s order is made, and

(b)  has failed to comply with the management order.

(2)  Once the Court has made its order under this section, the original management order is taken to have been made against the person under Part 3, subject to any modification by the Court. Part 3, and the other provisions of this Act relating to orders under that Part, then apply to the order and the person accordingly.

(3)  The Court may make an order under this section only if it is satisfied, on an application by the EPA, that:

(a)  the person was a director of, or a person concerned in the management of, the body corporate at the time when the management order was made, and

(b)  there is reason to believe that the body corporate was wound up as part of a scheme to avoid compliance with the management order.

(4)  There is reason for such a belief if:

(a)  the body corporate carried out one or more transactions:

(i)  that were voidable because of section 588FE of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, or

(ii)  that were such that the liquidator of the body corporate had a right to recovery of cash under section 567 of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, or

(iii)  by which the body corporate incurred a debt in relation to which a person contravened section 588G of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, and

(b)  there was (at the time or times when the body corporate entered those transactions or a substantial portion of them) reason to believe that the land was contaminated, and

(c)  in a case to which regulations made for the purposes of this section apply, the conditions prescribed by those regulations are satisfied.

(5)  The Court must not make an order under this section if the person against whom the order would be made satisfies the Court that:

(a)  the person had no knowledge, actual, imputed or constructive, of the scheme or any element of the scheme, or

(b)  the person was not in a position to influence the conduct of the body corporate in relation to that scheme, or

(c)  the person, if in such a position, used all due diligence to prevent the pursuit of the scheme by the body corporate.

(6)  The mere fact that the relevant management order was partially complied with by the body corporate does not exclude the possibility that there is reason to form the belief referred to in subsection (3).

(7)  For the purposes of this section, the fact that steps are taken to wind up a body corporate before the EPA makes a management order in respect of the body corporate does not preclude the Land and Environment Court from finding that there is reason to believe that the body corporate was wound up as part of a scheme to avoid compliance with the management order.

s 63: Am 2001 No 34, Sch 4.9 [1]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [18]–[21].

64 Director of body corporate that disposed of land

(1)  The Land and Environment Court may order a person to comply with a management order at the person’s own expense if:

(a)  the person was a director of, or a person concerned in the management of, a body corporate that transferred land, to which the management order related, within the 2 years before the Court’s order is made, and

(b)  the person to whom the land was transferred (the transferee) has failed to comply with the management order.

(2)  A person who is subject to an order of the Court under this section must comply with the management order, subject to any modification by the Court.

(3)  The Court may make an order under this section only if it is satisfied, on an application by the EPA that:

(a)  the person was a director of, or person concerned in the management of, the body corporate at the time of the transfer of the land or at the time when the management order was made in respect of the transferee, and

(b)  there is reason to believe that the body corporate transferred the land as part of a scheme to avoid having itself to carry out management of the land (whether or not a management order had been made in respect of the body corporate).

(4)  There is reason for such a belief if, at the time or times when the body corporate entered into one or more transactions, or a substantial portion of the transactions, for the transfer of the land:

(a)  there was reason to believe that the land was contaminated, and

(b)  the transferee was another body corporate that was related to the first body corporate (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth), and

(c)  the first body corporate had reason to believe that the transferee was unable to pay its debts or would, if it took steps with respect to the management of contamination of the land (to the extent that a reasonable person would have expected, at the time or times, would be necessary), become unable to pay its debts.

(5)  The Court must not make an order under this section if the person against whom the order would be made satisfies the Court that:

(a)  the person had no knowledge, actual, imputed or constructive, of the scheme or any element of the scheme, or

(b)  the person was not in a position to influence the conduct of the first body corporate in relation to that scheme, or

(c)  the person, if in such a position, used all due diligence to prevent the pursuit of the scheme by the first body corporate.

(6)  The mere fact that the relevant order was partially complied with by the transferee does not exclude the possibility that there is reason to form the belief referred to in subsection (3).

s 64: Am 2001 No 34, Sch 4.9 [2]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [18] [19] [22]–[26].

65 Holding company of body corporate that is wound up

(1)  The Land and Environment Court may order a corporation to comply with a management order at the corporation’s own expense if the corporation was the holding company of a company that:

(a)  has been wound up within the 2 years before the Court’s order is made, and

(b)  has failed to comply with the management order.

(2)  The corporation must comply with the management order, subject to any modification by the Court.

(3)  The Court may make an order under this section only if it is satisfied, on an application by the EPA, that:

(a)  the corporation was the holding company of the other company at the time when the management order was made, and

(b)  there is reason to believe that the other company was wound up as part of a scheme to avoid compliance with the management order.

(4)  There is reason for such a belief if:

(a)  the corporation contravened section 588V of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth in relation to the other company, and

(b)  there was (at the time or times when the contravention occurred) reason to believe that the land was contaminated, and

(c)  in a case to which regulations made for the purposes of this section apply, the conditions prescribed by those regulations are satisfied.

(5)  There is reason for such a belief also if:

(a)  the other company carried out one or more transactions:

(i)  that were voidable because of section 588FE of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, or

(ii)  that were such that the liquidator of the other company had a right to recovery of cash under section 567 of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, or

(iii)  by which the other company incurred a debt in relation to which a person contravened section 588G of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, and

(b)  there was (at the time or times when the other company entered those transactions or a substantial portion of them) reason to believe that the land was contaminated.

(6)  The mere fact that the relevant management order was partially complied with by the other company does not exclude the possibility that there is reason to form the belief referred to in subsection (3).

(7)  For the purposes of this section, the fact that steps are taken to wind up a company before the EPA makes a management order in respect of the company does not preclude the Land and Environment Court from finding that there is reason to believe that the company was wound up as part of a scheme to avoid compliance with the management order.

s 65: Am 2001 No 34, Sch 4.9 [3] [4]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [18] [19].

Part 8 Evidence

66 Definitions

In this Part:

information relating to an offence includes an application referred to in section 41 of the Land and Environment Court Act 1979.

instrument includes a notice, order or written direction.

s 66: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [27].

67, 68 (Repealed)

s 67: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [28].

s 68: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [28].

69 Proof of certain matters not required

In any proceedings under this Act no proof is required (until evidence is given to the contrary) of:

(a)  the appointment of the Director-General of the EPA or any member of the staff of the EPA, or

(b)  the appointment of an authorised officer, or

(c)  the fact that a person is, or at any relevant time was, the owner or occupier of any land to which the proceedings relate.

s 69: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [29].

70 Documentary evidence generally

Any instrument purporting:

(a)  to be an instrument issued, made or given for the purposes of this Act, and

(b)  to have been signed by the person authorised to issue, make or give the instrument, or by another person acting as delegate or on behalf of the person,

is admissible in any proceedings under this Act and (until evidence is given to the contrary) is to be taken to be such an instrument and to have been so signed.

71 Certificate evidence of certain matters

(1)  A document signed by the Director-General (or an officer of the EPA designated in writing by the Director-General for the purposes of this section) and certifying any one or more of the matters specified in subsection (2) is admissible in any proceedings under this Act and is prima facie evidence of the matters so certified.

(2)  The matters referred to in subsection (1) are as follows:

(a)  that an instrument, a copy of which is set out in or annexed to the document, being an instrument purporting:

(i)  to be issued, made or given for the purposes of this Act, and

(ii)  to have been signed by the person authorised to issue, make or give the instrument, or by another person acting as delegate or on behalf of the person,

was issued, made or given on a specified day or was published in a specified manner on a specified day,

(b)  that a person was or was not, at a specified time or during a specified period, accredited as a site auditor,

(c)  that a person was or was not, at a specified time or during a specified period, an authorised officer,

(d)  that the authorisation of an authorised officer was, at a specified time or during a specified period, a general authorisation or subject to specified conditions, limitations or restrictions, or for specified purposes,

(e)  that a person was or was not, at a specified time or during a specified period, an officer or employee of the EPA or a public authority,

(f)  that an exemption was or was not given under this Act or a regulation under this Act in relation to any specified matter,

(g)  that any such exemption was or was not, at a specified time or during a specified period, in force or subject to specified conditions,

(h)  that any exemption was or was not, or that any such conditions were or were not, varied or revoked at a specified time,

(i)  that any consent necessary for bringing proceedings for an offence arising under this Act or a regulation under this Act has been duly given,

(j)  that land was or was not, at a specified time or during a specified period, significantly contaminated land,

(k)  that land was or was not, at a specified time or during a specified period, subject to an order under Part 3 set out in, or annexed to, the certificate,

(l)  that any guidelines made or approved by the EPA under this Act, a copy of which is set out in or annexed to the certificate, were for the purpose of the Act published or approved in a specified manner and on a specified day.

s 71: Am 1998 No 120, Sch 1.9 [5] [6]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [30]–[32].

72 Evidence of analysts

(1)  The EPA may, by instrument in writing, appoint appropriately qualified persons to be analysts for the purposes of this Act.

(2)  A certificate of such an analyst stating the result of an analysis or examination is admissible in evidence in any proceedings under this Act as evidence of the facts stated in the certificate and the correctness of the result of the analysis or examination.

(3)  A certificate of such an analyst that a container containing a sample was received at a specified laboratory and that the container was sealed and signed by an authorised officer is admissible in evidence in any proceedings under this Act as evidence of the facts stated in the certificate and that the sample has not been tampered with since the authorised person signed and sealed the container.

(4)  For the purposes of this section, a document purporting to be a certificate under this section is, unless the contrary is proved, to be taken to be such a certificate.

Part 9 Authorised officers

Division 1 Administration

73 Appointment of authorised officers

The EPA may appoint any person (including a class of persons) as an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act.

74 Scope of authority

(1)  An authorisation of a person as an authorised officer can be given generally, or subject to conditions, limitations or restrictions or only for limited purposes.

(2)  If such authorisation is given subject to conditions, limitations or restrictions or only for limited purposes, nothing in this Act authorises or requires the authorised officer to act in contravention of the conditions, limitations or restrictions or for other purposes.

75 Identification

(1)  Every authorised officer is to be provided with an identification card as an authorised officer.

(2)  In the course of exercising the functions of an authorised officer under this Act, the officer must, if requested to do so by any person affected by the exercise of any such function, produce the officer’s identification card to the person.

Division 2 Powers to require information or records

76 Application of Division

This Division applies whether or not a power of entry under Division 3 is being or has been exercised.

77 Requirement to provide information and records (EPA)

(1)  The EPA may, by notice in writing served on a person, require the person to furnish to it such information or records (or both) as it requires by the notice in connection with any matter relating to its responsibilities or functions under this Act.

(2)  For example, the EPA may require an interested person with respect to any significantly contaminated land (or any person that the EPA has reason to believe carries on or carried on activities on the land) to furnish to the EPA, within a reasonable time specified in the notice, such particulars within the knowledge of the person of any activities presently or formerly carried out on the land as the EPA may reasonably require for the purposes of its investigation of the land.

s 77: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [33] [34].

78 Requirement to provide information and records (authorised officers)

An authorised officer may, by notice in writing served on a person, require the person to furnish to the officer such information or records (or both) as the officer requires by the notice in connection with any matter under this Act.

79 Manner and time for compliance

A notice under this Division must specify the manner in which information or records are required to be furnished and a reasonable time by or at which the information or records are required to be furnished.

80 Provisions relating to information and records

(1)  A notice under this Division may only require a person to furnish:

(a)  information within the knowledge of the person, or

(b)  records that are in the person’s possession or that are within the person’s power to obtain lawfully.

(2)  The person to whom any record is furnished under this Division may take copies of it.

(3)  If any record required to be furnished under this Division is in electronic, mechanical or other form, the notice requires the record to be furnished in written form, unless the notice otherwise provides.

Division 3 Powers of entry and search of land

81 Powers to enter land

(1)  An authorised officer may enter:

(a)  any land on which the authorised officer reasonably suspects that any activity that may cause contamination is being carried on—at any time during which the activity is being carried on there, and

(b)  any land at or from which the authorised officer reasonably suspects contamination has been, is being or is likely to be caused—at any time, and

(c)  any significantly contaminated land—at any time, and

(d)  any other premises—at any reasonable time.

(2)  A power to enter land conferred by this Act authorises entry by foot or by means of a motor vehicle or other vehicle, or in any other manner.

(3)  Entry may be effected under this Act by an authorised officer with the aid of such authorised officers or police officers as the authorised officer considers necessary and with the use of reasonable force.

s 81: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [35].

82 Entry into residential premises only with permission or warrant

This Division does not empower an authorised officer to enter any part of premises used only for residential purposes without the permission of the occupier or the authority of a search warrant under this Division.

83 Powers to do things on premises

(1)  An authorised officer may, at any premises lawfully entered, do anything that in the opinion of the authorised officer is necessary to be done for the purposes of this Part, including (but not limited to) the things specified in subsection (2).

(2)  An authorised officer may do any or all of the following:

(a)  examine and inspect any apparatus, equipment, works, vehicle or plant,

(b)  take and remove samples,

(c)  make such examinations, inquiries and tests as the authorised officer considers necessary,

(d)  take such photographs, films, audio, video and other recordings as the authorised officer considers necessary,

(e)  require records to be produced for inspection,

(f)  examine, inspect and copy any records,

(g)  seize anything connected with an offence against this Act or the regulations,

(h)  do any other thing the authorised officer is empowered to do under this Part.

84 Search warrants

(1) Application for search warrant An authorised officer under this Act may apply to an authorised officer within the meaning of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 for the issue of a search warrant if the authorised officer under this Act believes on reasonable grounds that a provision of this Act or the regulations is being or has been contravened at any premises.

(2) Issue of search warrant An authorised officer within the meaning of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 to whom such an application is made may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, issue a search warrant authorising an authorised officer under this Act named in the warrant:

(a)  to enter the premises, and

(b)  to exercise any function of an authorised officer under this Act under this Part.

(3) Application of Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 Division 4 of Part 5 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 applies to a search warrant issued under this section.

(4)    (Repealed)

s 84: Am 2002 No 103, Sch 4.14 [1]–[4].

85 Assistance

(1)  This section applies for the purpose of enabling an authorised officer to exercise any of the powers of an authorised officer under this Division in connection with any premises.

(2)  The EPA may, by notice in writing served on the occupier of the premises, require the person to provide such reasonable assistance and facilities as are specified in the notice within a specified time and in a specified manner.

(3)  Assistance and facilities can be required under this section, whether they are of the same kind as, or a different kind from, any prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.

86 Care to be taken

In the exercise of a power of entering or searching premises under this Division, an authorised officer must do as little damage as possible.

87 Compensation

The EPA must compensate all interested parties for any damage caused by an authorised officer in exercising a power of entering the premises (but not any damage caused by the exercise of any other power), unless the damage was unavoidable because the occupier of the premises obstructed or hindered the authorised officer in the exercise of the power of entry.

Division 4 Powers to question persons

88 Power of authorised officers to require answers

(1)  An authorised officer may require a person whom the authorised officer suspects on reasonable grounds to have knowledge of matters in respect of which information is reasonably required for the purposes of this Part to answer questions in relation to those matters.

(2)  The EPA may, by notice in writing, require a body corporate to nominate, in writing within the time specified in the notice, a director or officer of the body corporate to be the body corporate’s representative for the purpose of answering questions under this section.

(3)  Answers given by a person nominated under subsection (2) bind the body corporate.

Division 5 General

89 Offences

(1)  A person who, without reasonable excuse, neglects or fails to comply with a requirement made of the person under this Part is guilty of an offence.

(2)  A person who furnishes any information or does any other thing in purported compliance with a requirement made under this Part, knowing that it is false or misleading in a material respect is guilty of an offence.

(3)  A person who wilfully delays or obstructs an authorised officer in the exercise of the authorised officer’s powers under this Part is guilty of an offence.

(4)  A person who impersonates an authorised officer is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty:

(a)  in the case of a corporation—1,250 penalty units, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 600 penalty units for each day the offence continues, or

(b)  in the case of an individual—600 penalty units, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further penalty of 300 penalty units for each day the offence continues.

s 89: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [36].

90 Provisions relating to requirements to furnish information or answer questions

(1) Warning to be given on each occasion A person is not guilty of an offence of failing to comply with a requirement under this Part to furnish information or to answer a question unless the person was warned on that occasion that a failure to comply is an offence.

(2) Self-incrimination not an excuse A natural person is not excused from a requirement under this Part to furnish information or to answer a question on the ground that the information or answer might incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty.

(3) Information not admissible if objection made However, any information furnished or answer given by a natural person in compliance with a requirement under this Part is not admissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings (except proceedings for an offence under this Part) if:

(a)  the person objected at the time of furnishing the information or answering on the ground that the information or answer might incriminate the person, or

(b)  the person was not warned on that occasion that a failure to furnish the information or answer the question would be an offence and advised that the person might object on the ground that the information or answer might incriminate the person.

(4) Further information Further information obtained as a result of information furnished or of an answer given in compliance with a requirement under this Part is not inadmissible on the ground:

(a)  that the information had to be furnished or the answer had to be given, or

(b)  that the information furnished or answer given might incriminate the person.

Part 10 Offences

Division 1 Proceedings for offences generally

91 Proceedings for Part 3, 4 or 5 offences

Proceedings for an offence arising under Part 3, 4 or 5 may be dealt with summarily before the Land and Environment Court in its summary jurisdiction.

92 Proceedings for other offences

(1)  Proceedings for an offence arising under this Act or the regulations (other than under Part 3, 4 or 5) may be dealt with:

(a)  summarily before the Local Court, or

(b)  summarily before the Land and Environment Court in its summary jurisdiction.

(2)  If any such proceedings are brought in the Local Court, the maximum monetary penalty that the Court may impose for the offence is 100 penalty units, despite any other provision of this Act.

s 92: Am 1999 No 85, Sch 2.7; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.59 [1]; 2007 No 94, Sch 2.

92A Penalty notices

(1)  An authorised officer may serve a penalty notice on a person if it appears to the officer that the person has committed an offence against this Act or the regulations, being an offence prescribed by the regulations as a penalty notice offence.

(2)  A penalty notice is a notice to the effect that, if the person served does not wish to have the matter determined by a court, the person can pay, within the time and to the person specified in the notice, the amount of the penalty prescribed by the regulations for the offence if dealt with under this section.

(3)  A penalty notice may be served personally or by post.

(4)  If the amount of penalty prescribed for an alleged offence is paid under this section, no person is liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.

(5)  Payment under this section is not to be regarded as an admission of liability for the purpose of, and does not in any way affect or prejudice, any civil claim, action or proceeding arising out of the same occurrence.

(5A)  Despite subsection (4), an authorised officer, whether or not the officer by whom the penalty notice has been served:

(a)  may withdraw the notice within 28 days after the date on which the notice was served, and

(b)  must withdraw the notice immediately if directed to do so by the EPA.

(5B)  The following provisions have effect in relation to an alleged offence if a penalty notice for the alleged offence is withdrawn in accordance with subsection (5A):

(a)  the amount that was payable under the notice ceases to be payable,

(b)  any amount that has been paid under the notice is repayable to the person by whom it was paid,

(c)  further proceedings in respect of the alleged offence may be taken against any person (including the person on whom the notice was served) as if the notice had never been served.

(6)  The regulations may:

(a)  prescribe an offence for the purposes of this section by specifying the offence or by referring to the provision creating the offence, and

(b)  prescribe the amount of penalty payable for the offence if dealt with under this section, and

(c)  prescribe different amounts of penalties for different offences or classes of offences.

(7)  The amount of a penalty prescribed under this section for an offence is not to exceed the maximum amount of penalty that could be imposed for the offence by a court.

(8)  This section does not limit the operation of any other provision of, or made under, this or any other Act relating to proceedings that may be taken in respect of offences.

(9)  In this section, authorised officer means a person of a class prescribed by the regulations who is authorised in writing by the Director-General as an authorised officer for the purposes of this section.

s 92A: Ins 2007 No 27, Sch 1.9. Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [37].

93 Time for commencing proceedings

(1)  Proceedings for an offence under this Act or the regulations may be commenced:

(a)  in the case of a prescribed offence—within but not later than 3 years after the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed, or

(b)  in any other case—within but not later than 12 months after that date.

(2)  Proceedings for an offence under this Act or the regulations may also be commenced:

(a)  in the case of a prescribed offence—within but not later than 3 years after the date on which evidence of the alleged offence first came to the attention of an authorised officer, or

(b)  in any other case—within but not later than 12 months after that date.

(3)  If subsection (2) is relied on for the purpose of commencing proceedings for an offence, the court attendance notice must contain particulars of the date on which evidence of the offence first came to the attention of an authorised officer and need not contain particulars of the date on which the offence was committed. The date on which evidence first came to the attention of an authorised officer is the date specified in the court attendance notice, unless the contrary is established.

(4)  This section applies despite anything in the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 or any other Act.

(5)  In this section:

authorised officer means any person who is an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act, whether or not the person has the functions of an authorised officer in connection with the offence concerned.

evidence of an offence means evidence of any act or omission constituting the offence.

prescribed offence means:

(a)  an offence under section 60 or 103, or

(b)  an offence against this Act that is declared by the regulations to be a prescribed offence for the purposes of this section.

s 93: Am 2001 No 121, Sch 2.59 [2] [3]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [38].

Division 2 Who may institute proceedings for offences

94 EPA may institute proceedings

(1)  Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may be instituted by the EPA.

(2)  Any such proceedings may also be instituted by an officer or employee of the EPA with the written consent of the EPA or with the written consent of such member, officer or employee of the EPA as may be authorised by the EPA for the purposes of this Division.

95 Other persons may institute proceedings with leave

(1)  Any person may institute proceedings in the Land and Environment Court for an offence against this Act or the regulations if the Court grants the person leave to bring the proceedings.

(2)  The Court is not to grant leave unless satisfied that:

(a)  the EPA has decided not to take any relevant action (as defined in subsection (3)) in respect of the act or omission constituting the alleged offence or has not made a decision on whether to take such action within 90 days after the person requested the EPA to institute the proceedings, and

(b)  the EPA has been notified of the proceedings, and

(c)  the proceedings are not an abuse of the process of the Court, and

(d)  the particulars of the offence disclose, without any hearing of the evidence, a prima facie case of the commission of the offence.

(3)  Relevant action for the purposes of subsection (2) is not limited to the institution of criminal proceedings, but includes action under this Act to require the defendant to comply with an order under Part 3.

s 95: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [39].

Division 3 Restraint of breaches without prosecution for offence

96 Restraint of breaches

(1)  Any person may bring proceedings in the Land and Environment Court for an order to remedy or restrain a breach (or a threatened or apprehended breach) of this Act or the regulations, whether or not any right of that person has been or may be infringed by or as a consequence of that breach.

(2)  Proceedings under this section may be brought by a person on the person’s own behalf or on behalf of the person and other persons (with their consent), or a body corporate or unincorporated (with the consent of its committee or other controlling or governing body), having like or common interests in those proceedings.

(3)  Any person on whose behalf proceedings are brought is entitled to contribute to or provide for the payment of the legal costs and expenses incurred by the person bringing the proceedings.

(4)  If the Court is satisfied that a breach of this Act has been committed or that a breach of this Act will, unless restrained by order of the Court, be committed, it may make such order as it thinks fit to remedy or restrain the breach.

Division 4 General

97 Matters to be considered in imposing penalty

(1)  In imposing a penalty for an offence against this Act or the regulations, a court is to take into consideration the following (so far as they are relevant):

(a)  the extent of the harm already caused or likely to be caused by the commission of the offence,

(b)  the degree of risk that harm will be caused by the commission of the offence,

(c)  the practical measures that may be taken to prevent, control, abate or mitigate that harm,

(d)  the extent to which the person who committed the offence could reasonably have foreseen the harm caused or likely to be caused by the commission of the offence,

(e)  the extent to which the person who committed the offence had control over the causes that gave rise to the offence,

(f)  whether, in committing the offence, the person was complying with orders from an employer or supervising employee.

(2)  The court may take into consideration other matters that it considers relevant.

98 Offences by corporations

(1)  If a corporation contravenes, whether by act or omission, any provision of this Act or the regulations, each person who is a director of the corporation or who is concerned in the management of the corporation is taken to have contravened the same provision, unless the person satisfies the court that:

(a)  the person was not in a position to influence the conduct of the corporation in relation to its contravention of the provision, or

(b)  the person, if in such a position, used all due diligence to prevent the contravention by the corporation.

(2)  A person may be proceeded against and convicted under a provision pursuant to this section whether or not the corporation has been proceeded against or been convicted under that provision.

(3)  Nothing in this section affects any liability imposed on a corporation for an offence committed by the corporation against this Act or the regulations.

(4)  Without limiting any other law or practice regarding the admissibility of evidence, evidence that an officer, employee or agent of a corporation (while acting in his or her capacity as such) had, at any particular time, a particular state of mind, is evidence that the corporation had that state of mind.

(5)  In this section, the state of mind of a person includes:

(a)  the knowledge, intention, opinion, belief or purpose of the person, and

(b)  the person’s reasons for the intention, opinion, belief or purpose.

s 98: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [40].

99 Onus of proof of reasonable excuse

The onus of proving that a person had reasonable excuse (as referred to in any provision of this Act or the regulations) lies with the defendant.

100 (Repealed)

s 100: Rep 2000 No 93, Sch 2.9 [6].

Part 11 Miscellaneous

101 Act to bind Crown

This Act binds the Crown in right of New South Wales and, in so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.

102 Disputes between EPA and public authorities

(1)  If a dispute arises between the EPA and another public authority with respect to a decision of the EPA against which an appeal lies under this Act or a decision to issue an order under section 30, the EPA or the public authority may refer the dispute to the Premier for settlement in accordance with this section.

(2)  On the referral of a dispute to the Premier, the Premier may (but need not) appoint a person to hold an inquiry and make a report to the Premier with respect to the dispute.

(3)  The Premier may make such decision with respect to the dispute as the Premier thinks fit.

(4)  Any such decision may include an order for the payment of any costs or expenses of or incidental to the holding of an inquiry under this section.

(5)  The EPA or other public authority to which any such order is given must comply with the order.

(6)  A decision of the Premier under this section is final and (except in respect of any order under subsection (4)) is taken to be the decision of the EPA.

(7)  If a dispute is referred to the Premier under this section, the public authority (other than the EPA) does not have a right of appeal to a court under this Act in respect of the dispute, unless the Premier declines to deal with the dispute.

s 102: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [41].

103 False or misleading information

(1)  A person must not, in compliance or purported compliance with a requirement under this Act, give information to the EPA or another person knowing that, or reckless as to whether, the information is false or misleading in a material particular.

Maximum penalty:

(a)  in the case of a corporation—1,250 penalty units, or

(b)  in the case of an individual—600 penalty units.

(2)  For the purposes of this section, information given in connection with a site audit, a site audit report or a site audit statement is taken to be given in compliance with this Act.

(3)  In this section:

give information includes make a statement, give evidence or produce a document.

s 103: Subst 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [42].

104 Publicity about contamination

The EPA may undertake education programs, public awareness campaigns and other measures for the information of the public concerning particular types of contamination, sources of contamination, the environmental and health implications of contamination and how contamination may be reduced or minimised.

s 104: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [43].

105 Guidelines

(1)  For any purpose connected with the objects of this Act, the EPA may make guidelines (not inconsistent with this Act or the regulations) for its own use or for the use of landowners, developers, site auditors, any other section of the public or the general public.

(2)  The EPA is under a duty to do the following in relation to such guidelines:

(a)  to allow the public an opportunity to comment on the guidelines before they are made,

(b)  to consider the comments of the public before making the guidelines,

(c)  to publish the guidelines in the Gazette once they have been made,

(d)  to make the guidelines available for inspection by the public free of charge,

(e)  to enable the public to obtain copies of the guidelines at a reasonable cost,

(f)  to take the guidelines into consideration whenever they are relevant,

(g)  to depart from the guidelines in individual cases when any law requires that departure or the interests of the public, justice or the administration of this Act make it necessary to do so.

(3)  The EPA is under a duty to comply with subsection (2) (d)–(g) in relation to any guidelines approved by the EPA for the purposes of this Act (but made by another person or body) as if they were guidelines made by the EPA.

A guideline so approved by the EPA has effect for the purposes of this Act subject to the terms of that approval, and the approval is taken to be part of the guideline.

(4)  The EPA may from time to time vary the terms of its approval of a guideline under this section, or revoke that approval.

(4A)  A guideline may amend or revoke another guideline. If an amendment to a guideline is a minor amendment, the EPA is not required to comply with subsection (2) (a) or (b).

(5)  The EPA is to give each site auditor accredited under Part 4 notice in writing of the following:

(a)  the making or approval of a guideline under this section,

(b)  the amendment or revocation of any such guideline or approval.

(6)  Without limiting subsection (1), the guidelines may make provision for or with respect to eligibility for accreditation as a site auditor under Part 4, including in relation to the following matters:

(a)  relevant experience and expertise in contaminated site work,

(b)  proven high standards of integrity and objectivity,

(c)  understanding of the impact of contaminated sites on the environment, public health and safety,

(d)  understanding of relevant legislation and associated policies,

(e)  understanding of the methods for assessing and managing contaminated sites,

(f)  access to relevant areas of expertise and resources,

(g)  knowledge of relevant scientific literature,

(h)  insurance,

(i)  any other matter prescribed by the regulations.

(7)  In this section:

minor amendment includes the following:

(a)  the correction of a typographical or grammatical error,

(b)  the updating of a cross-reference or contact or address details,

(c)  any other amendment that is declared by the regulations to be a minor amendment.

s 105: Am 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [15]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [44] [45].

106 Reasons for certain decisions

(1)  If, in the exercise of any function under this Act, the EPA makes a decision on the basis that it does not have reason to believe that land is contaminated in such a way as to warrant regulation under Division 2 of Part 3, the EPA must provide a written statement of the reasons for its decision to any person who makes written request for those reasons in relation to that land.

(2)  The regulations may make provision with respect to any such statement of reasons, including:

(a)  the time within which a request for reasons must be made or within which the statement of reasons must be provided, and

(b)  the matters to be set out in a statement of reasons.

(3)  A statement of reasons is not required to be provided to a person if the person has already been notified of the reasons under section 8 or by any declaration, order or notice under Part 3.

s 106: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [46] [47].

107 Disclosure of information

(1)  A person is guilty of an offence if the person discloses any information that relates to any manufacturing or other industrial or commercial secrets or working processes and that is obtained in connection with the administration or execution of this Act or the regulations, unless the disclosure:

(a)  is made with the consent of:

(i)  the person from whom the information was obtained, or

(ii)  if the information relates to land—the occupier of the land, or

(iii)  if the information relates to an activity—the person carrying on or proposing to carry on the activity, or

(b)  is required by this Act, or

(c)  is made in connection with the administration or execution of this Act or the regulations, or

(d)  is made with the prior permission of the Minister, or

(e)  is ordered by a court, or by any other body or person authorised by law to examine witnesses, in the course of, and for the purpose of, the hearing or determination by that court, body or person of any matter, or

(f)  is made by an officer of the EPA or other public authority to an officer or authority engaged in administering or executing a law of the Commonwealth or of another State or Territory relating to the protection of the environment, or

(g)  is made by an officer of the EPA or other public authority to any person and its disclosure to that person is reasonably related to the elimination or reduction of a risk of harm to human health or some other aspect of the environment, or

(h)  is otherwise made with reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units.

(2)  The Minister is not to grant the permission referred to in subsection (1) (d) unless satisfied that to do so would be in the public interest.

(3)  Despite subsection (1), the EPA or a local authority may disclose to any person a site audit report or site audit statement if the report or statement relates to a statutory site audit within the meaning of Part 4.

Note—

Part 3 requires certain information to be made available. Part 5 requires information to be available on a record for public inspection.

s 107: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [48].

108 Service of notices

(1)  Any notice, order or other instrument issued, made, served or given for the purposes of this Act may be served on a person:

(a)  by delivering it personally to the person, or

(b)  by delivering it to the place of residence or business of the person and by leaving it there for the person with some other person, or

(c)  by posting it duly stamped and addressed to the person at the place last shown in the records of the EPA or public authority that posted it as the person’s place of residence or business, or

(d)  by posting it duly stamped and addressed to the person at the place indicated by the person as an address to which correspondence may be posted (including for example a post office box), or

(e)  by sending it by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including for example by email) to the person in accordance with arrangements indicated by the person as appropriate for transmitting documents to the person, or

(f)  by leaving it addressed to the person at a document exchange or other place (in accordance with usual arrangements for the exchange or other place) indicated by the person as an exchange or place through which correspondence may be forwarded to the person.

(2)  This section does not affect any other mode of issuing, making or giving a notice or instrument under any other law.

s 108: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [49].

109 Relationship with other Acts

(1)  Nothing in this Act affects the exercise of any function by the EPA (or another public authority) under any other Act.

(2)  However, the exercise of any such function must not be inconsistent with the functions of the EPA (or of the other public authority) under this Act.

(3)  If the EPA or another public authority may act under this Act and another Act in relation to the same circumstances, it is not required to act under both Acts.

(4)  Nothing in this section prevents the EPA from issuing a clean-up notice or direction in accordance with Part 4.2 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 or a prevention notice in accordance with Part 4.3 of that Act.

s 109: Am 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [50].

110 Effect of this Act on other rights, remedies and proceedings

(1)  This Act does not limit or affect any right, remedy or proceeding under any other Act or law.

(2)  No proceedings taken under this Act interfere with or lessen any right or remedy under any other Act or law, but no person is, by virtue of this subsection, liable to be punished twice for the same offence.

(3)  A reference in this section to a right includes, for example, a right to restrict or prevent, or obtain damages in respect of, contamination.

111 (Repealed)

s 111: Rep 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [51].

111A Offset arrangements

(1)  The Minister may, if he or she considers it to be in the public interest to do so, enter into offset arrangements with a person responsible for the contamination of land under which the person provides assistance (other than direct monetary assistance) to communities affected by the contamination.

Note—

Assistance may, amongst other things, include the provision of community facilities or community services or the establishment and operation of environmental or resource projects.

(2)  Despite subsection (1), the Minister is not to enter into offset arrangements with a person who is or has been an approved party to a voluntary management proposal in respect of land that has been the subject of that proposal if:

(a)  the person has not complied with the approved voluntary management proposal or a condition to which the proposal is subject, or

(b)  the voluntary management proposal was approved on the basis of false or misleading information provided by the person.

(3)  Offset arrangements may be entered only if the Minister reasonably considers that it would not be practicable to remediate the contamination within a reasonable time.

(4)  Offset arrangements are to be in writing and may specify the circumstances and manner in which functions under this Act are to be exercised if the assistance is duly provided and any such function is to be exercised accordingly.

s 111A: Ins 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [52].

112 Regulations

(1)  The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

(2)  In particular, the regulations may make provision for or with respect to the following matters:

(a)  guidelines under this Act,

(b)  the circumstances in which a fee, or part of a fee, payable under Part 4 may be waived or refunded by the EPA,

(b1)  the circumstances in which any or all of the costs recoverable under section 34 may be waived or refunded by the EPA,

(b2)  the circumstances in which the EPA may disclose any information obtained in connection with the administration or execution of this Act or the regulations (including personal information within the meaning of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998) other than information that may not be disclosed under section 107 (1),

(c)  the manner and form of any notice, order or declaration under this Act.

(3)  The regulations may create offences punishable by a penalty not exceeding:

(a)  200 penalty units in the case of a corporation, or

(b)  100 penalty units in the case of an individual.

(4)  The regulations may adopt any document (including for example a code of practice) as in force from time to time.

(5)  Section 12 of the Food Act 2003 does not apply to regulations or other instruments made under this Act.

s 112: Am 2003 No 43, Sch 1.1; 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [16]; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [53].

113 Repeal

The Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Amendment Act 1996 is repealed.

114 (Repealed)

s 114: Rep 1999 No 85, Sch 4.

115 Savings and transitional provisions

Schedule 2 has effect.

116 Review of Act

(1)  The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.

(2)  The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 5 years from the date of assent to this Act.

(3)  A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 5 years.

Schedule 1 (Repealed)

sch 1: Rep 1999 No 85, Sch 4.

Schedule 2 Savings and transitional provisions

(Section 115)

Part 1 General

1 Regulations

(1)  The regulations may contain provisions of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of the following Acts:

this Act

Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Act 2002 (but only to the extent that it amends this Act)

Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2003

Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2008

(2)  Any such provision may, if the regulations so provide, take effect from the date of assent to the Act concerned or a later date.

(3)  To the extent to which any such provision takes effect from a date that is earlier than the date of its publication in the Gazette, the provision does not operate so as:

(a)  to affect, in a manner prejudicial to any person (other than the State or an authority of the State), the rights of that person existing before the date of its publication, or

(b)  to impose liabilities on any person (other than the State or an authority of the State) in respect of anything done or omitted to be done before the date of its publication.

2 Pre-existing contamination

Nothing in this Act prevents the application of a provision of this Act to contaminated land just because:

(a)  the land was contaminated land before the commencement of the provision, or

(b)  the risk presented by the contamination was present before that commencement, or

(c)  an act or activity referred to in section 6 took place before that commencement or an existing use referred to in that section arose before that commencement.

2A Reference to Board of Tick Control

A reference in this Act to “the use of a cattle dip site on the land under a program implemented in accordance with the recommendations or advice of the Board of Tick Control under Part 2 of the Stock Diseases Act 1923” is taken to be a reference to “the use of a cattle dip site on the land in relation to a treatment ordered under the Stock Diseases Act 1923”.

Part 2 Provisions consequent on enactment of this Act

3 Restoration of premises

(1)  Part 5 of the Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985, as in force immediately before its repeal by this Act, continues in force in respect of:

(a)  any condition, or undertaking, in force under section 34 of that Act immediately before the repeal, and

(b)  any security held under section 34 of that Act immediately before the repeal, and

(c)  any direction in force under section 35 of that Act immediately before the repeal, and

(d)  any prescribed remedial action commenced under section 36 of that Act before that repeal,

as if the Part had not been repealed.

(2)  Any prescribed remedial action commenced under section 36 of that Act before that repeal may be completed, and costs and expenses recovered in respect of it, in accordance with that section as if the section had not been repealed.

(3)  Despite subclause (1), land that is premises in respect of which a direction was given under section 35, or prescribed remedial action was commenced under section 36, of the Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985 before the repeal of Part 5 of that Act by this Act is, for the purposes only of sections 28 (Maintenance of remediation: notice to owner or occupier) and 29 (Maintenance of remediation: covenant) of this Act, taken to be land the subject of remediation under Part 3 of this Act.

(4)  Despite subclause (1), a direction given under section 35 of the Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985 before the repeal of Part 5 of that Act by this Act is, for the purposes only of sections 58 (EPA’s record of current declarations and orders) and 59 (Local authorities to be informed) of this Act, taken to be:

(a)  if the direction relates only to the investigation of the land (for instance, to determine the nature and extent of the contamination of the land, the nature and extent of the harm caused by the contamination or the risk that the contamination will cause such harm) and not to the remediation of the land—an investigation order, or

(b)  in any other case—a remediation order.

(5)  Despite subclause (1), any agreement to take prescribed remedial action entered into under section 36 (2) (a) of the Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985, or any direction to take such action given under section 36 (2) (b) of that Act, before the repeal of Part 5 of that Act by this Act is, for the purposes only of sections 58 (EPA’s record of current declarations and orders) and 59 (Local authorities to be informed) of this Act, taken to be:

(a)  if the prescribed remedial action in relation to which the agreement was entered into or the direction was given relates only to the investigation of the land (for instance, to determine the nature and extent of the contamination of the land, the nature and extent of the harm caused by the contamination or the risk that the contamination will cause such harm) and not to the remediation of the land—an investigation order, or

(b)  in any other case—a remediation order.

(6)  A direction given under section 35 of the Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985 before the repeal of Part 5 of that Act by this Act, may be revoked by the EPA at any time by notice in writing that is, where reasonably practicable, served on the person to whom the direction was given.

4 (Repealed)

5 Present guidelines continue in force

The following guidelines made by the EPA are taken to be in force for the purposes of this Act as if they had been made under this Act in accordance with section 105 (1) and (2) (a)–(c):

(a)  Contaminated Sites. Guidelines for Assessing Service Station Sites, December 1994,

(b)  Contaminated Sites. Guidelines for the Vertical Mixing of Soil on Former Broad-Acre Agricultural Land, January 1995,

(c)    (Repealed)

(d)  Contaminated Sites. Sampling Design Guidelines, September 1995,

(e)  Contaminated Sites. Guidelines for Assessing Banana Plantation Sites, October 1997.

Part 3 Provisions consequent on enactment of the Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Act 2002

6 Accreditation of site auditors

The accreditation of a site auditor in force immediately before the amendment of section 50 (1) by the Environment Protection Legislation Amendment Act 2002 expires (if not revoked under this Act) on the date on which it would have expired if the amendment had not been made and may be renewed in accordance with that section as so amended.

Part 4 Provisions consequent on enactment of the Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2003

7 Recovery of costs

Section 36, as amended by the Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2003, extends to costs incurred before the amendment of that section by that Act if those costs were incurred on or after 1 September 1998.

8 Existing accreditation as a site auditor and suspension

(1)  An accreditation (including any conditions to which the accreditation is subject) in force immediately before the commencement of Schedule 1 [10] to the Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2003 (the amending Act), continues in force for the balance of the term for which it was granted.

(2)  An accreditation referred to in subclause (1) is taken to have been validly granted or renewed, and any condition to which the accreditation is subject is taken to have been validly imposed, under Part 4 of this Act as amended by the amending Act.

(3)  A suspension in effect immediately before the commencement of Schedule 1 [10] to the amending Act, continues to have effect until further notice by the EPA. The suspension is taken to have effect under Part 4 of this Act as amended by the amending Act and section 56 applies accordingly.

9 Revocation, suspension or refusal to renew accreditation

Section 56, as substituted by the Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2003, extends to acts or omissions occurring before the substitution of that section by that Act.

10 Members of accreditation panel

A member of the accreditation panel holding office immediately before the commencement of section 49 (as substituted by the Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2003), is taken, on that commencement, to be appointed under section 49 as substituted and this Act applies accordingly.

11 Annual returns and other notifications

Despite the definition of return period in section 53D (6), the return period for the year ending 30 June 2007 is, for the purposes of section 53D, to commence on 1 March 2006 rather than 1 July 2006.

Part 5 Provisions consequent on enactment of the Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2008

12 Definition

In this Part:

the amending Act means the Contaminated Land Management Amendment Act 2008.

13 Orders, declarations and voluntary proposals

(1)  Land that is an investigation area or a remediation site immediately before the substitution of Division 2 of Part 3 by the amending Act is, on the substitution of that Division, taken to be significantly contaminated land.

(2)  An investigation order or remediation order that is in force immediately before the substitution of Division 2 of Part 3 by the amending Act is, on the substitution of that Division, taken to be a management order that is in force on the same terms as the investigation order or remediation order.

(3)  A voluntary investigation proposal or voluntary remediation proposal that has been agreed to by the EPA and that has not been fully carried out immediately before the substitution of Division 2 of Part 3 by the amending Act is, on the substitution of that Division, taken to be an approved voluntary management proposal in force on the same terms as the voluntary investigation proposal or voluntary remediation proposal.

(4)  In relation to any investigation area, remediation site, investigation order, remediation order, voluntary investigation proposal or voluntary remediation proposal to which this clause applies the following references (whether in the order or proposal or elsewhere) are, on and from the substitution of Division 2 of Part 3 by the amending Act, to be read as follows:

(a)  a reference to an investigation area or a remediation site is taken to be a reference to significantly contaminated land,

(b)  a reference to an investigation order or remediation order is taken to be a reference to a management order,

(c)  a reference to a voluntary investigation proposal or voluntary remediation proposal that has been agreed to by the EPA is taken to be a reference to an approved voluntary management proposal and a reference to a party to such a voluntary investigation proposal or voluntary remediation proposal is taken to be a reference to an approved party,

(d)  a reference to land being contaminated in such a way as to present a significant risk of harm is taken to be a reference to contamination that the EPA considers to be significant enough to warrant regulation under Division 2 of Part 3 of this Act.

(5)  Subclause (4) (d) does not apply to a reference in a guideline.

14 Public consultation

For the purposes of section 14 (4), the EPA is taken to have considered submissions under section 11 (2) (e) if, in respect of the land to which the proposed management order is to apply, the EPA has, before the substitution of Division 2 of Part 3 by the amending Act, considered submissions under section 17 (2) or 23 (3).

15 Voluntary management proposals

Section 17 (6) does not apply to a voluntary investigation proposal or voluntary remediation proposal that is taken, because of clause 13, to be an approved voluntary management proposal and section 20 or 27 (as the case may be) as in force immediately before the substitution of Division 2 of Part 3 by the amending Act continues to apply in respect of those proposals.

16 Maintenance of remediation

(1)  A notice issued under section 28 and in force immediately before the substitution of that section by the amending Act continues in force and is taken to have been issued under section 28 as substituted.

(2)  A reference in section 28 (1) or 29 (1) to land that has been the subject of a management order or an approved voluntary management proposal includes land that was, before the substitution of Division 2 of Part 3 by the amending Act:

(a)  the subject of an investigation order or a remediation order, or

(b)  the subject of a voluntary investigation proposal or voluntary remediation proposal that has been agreed to by the EPA under section 19 or 26.

(3)  A covenant imposed by the EPA under section 29 before the substitution of that section by the amending Act may be released or varied under section 29 (2) as substituted by the amending Act.

(4)  Land that is taken to be land the subject of remediation under Part 3 because of the operation of clause 3 (3) is, on the substitution of section 28 by the amending Act, taken to be land the subject of a management order.

17 Cost recovery

Sections 34 and 35 as substituted by the amending Act apply only in respect of an order made under Part 3, or a voluntary management proposal furnished to the EPA, after that substitution and in any other case those sections apply as they were immediately before that substitution.

18 Penalty notices

Section 92A (5A) and (5B), as inserted by the amending Act, extend to a penalty notice served before the commencement of those subsections.

19 Disclosure of information

Section 107 (3), as inserted by the amending Act, extends to information obtained by the EPA before the commencement of that subsection.

20 Records

A reference in clause 3 to section 58 or 59 includes a reference to those sections as substituted by the amending Act.

sch 2: Am 1998 No 54, Sch 1.5; 1998 No 120, Sch 1.9 [7]; 2000 No 93, Sch 2.9 [7]; 2002 No 14, Sch 1 [10] [11]; 2003 No 91, Sch 1 [17] [18]; 2006 No 120, Sch 1.5 [3]; 2007 No 82, Sch 1.1; 2008 No 111, Sch 1 [54]–[61].