The Andrews Labor Government is trialling a more efficient approach for assessing potentially contaminated land in Victoria.

The 18-month Preliminary Risk Screen pilot will test and refine a faster and more cost-effective approach to assessing sites that have a low to medium potential for contamination.

Currently a complete environmental audit is required when land is to be used for residences, child care centres or schools. These audits can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

The new approach will be based on a desktop study and site inspection which may include sampling. A Preliminary Risk Screen will determine if a detailed audit is necessary.

City of Whittlesea and City of Greater Bendigo have agreed to take part in the pilot, which will also include state-owned public land.

Independent evaluation will take place throughout the pilot to determine whether its objectives have been met, and make recommendations for potential implementation of the Preliminary Risk Screen assessment.

The Preliminary Risk Screen pilot has been developed as part of the Labor Government’s response to the Independent Inquiry into the EPA.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Throughout the Independent Inquiry into the EPA, stakeholders made it very clear that the environmental audit system needs to be more flexible and proportionate.”

“The aim of the Preliminary Risk Screen pilot is to make assessments in a more timely, consistent and cost-effective way.”