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Contaminated land management guidelines

The contaminated land management guideline series represents a significant component of the existing policy framework for contaminated land management.

In the past 10 years, the Ministry has undertaken a work programme to address the risks from land contamination. The result has been a series of contaminated land management guidelines developed in partnership with regional councils and unitary authorities.

The series of 5 guidelines cover the following areas: reporting, application of environmental guideline values, risk screening, classification and information management and investigation and analysis. Their main purpose is to introduce consistency in contaminated land assessment and management throughout the country.

Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No. 1 - Reporting on Contaminated Sites in New Zealand

This guideline details the type and amount of information required in a contaminated site report. Its aim is to ensure consistency in the reporting on contaminated sites. It includes checklists for reporting requirements for contaminated sites and for the removal of petroleum underground storage tanks.

Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No. 2 - Hierarchy and Application in New Zealand of Environmental Guideline Values

This guideline has been developed to ensure the consistent selection and application of environmental guideline values. An Environmental Guideline Value (EGV) database (available on CD ROM) accompanies this guideline. It will be of use to environmental consultants and landowners undertaking contaminated site investigations, and to council staff involved in reviewing contaminated site assessment reports.

Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No. 3 - Risk Screening System

This guideline describes the Risk Screening System (RSS). The system aims to provide a nationally consistent means of ranking sites that are, or are suspected of being, contaminated. The purpose of ranking a site is usually so that it may be prioritised for further investigation.

There is also an Excel template for the contaminated sites risk screening system (151 KB). (Note: This template may not be compatible with older versions of Excel, and may require saving to hard disk before it can be properly used. To do this, right-click on the link and select 'Save target as'.)

Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No. 4: Classification and Information Management Protocols

The purpose of this guideline is to suggest a nationally consistent way of classifying, managing and releasing contaminated site information held on council registers or databases. Local government is encouraged to adopt the systems and classifications provided by this guideline, so that we can have a nationally consistent system which will enable all practitioners involved in contaminated land to talk the same language.

Related information: Legal advice to clarify what should be included on the LIM for former horticultural land

Contaminated Land Management Guidelines No.5: Site Investigation and Analysis of Soils

This guideline provides best practice for the sampling and analysis of soils on sites where hazardous substances are present or suspected in soils in New Zealand and guidance on the principles governing the interpretation of the data obtained.

Contaminated Land Management Guidelines Schedule A: Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL)

The Hazardous Activities and Industries List or HAIL is a compilation of activities and industries that are considered likely to cause land contamination resulting from hazardous substance use, storage or disposal.

Contaminated Land Management Guidelines Schedule B: Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL) with Hazardous Substances

The Hazardous Activities and Industries List with Hazardous Substances is a version of the HAIL (Contaminated Land Management Guidelines Schedule A) containing examples of hazardous substances associated with the industries and activities.

Last updated: 17 October 2007