Managing contaminated land

The department is responsible for making sure that contaminated sites, including sites that have been used for activities that are likely to cause contamination, are managed in a way that protects public health and the environment in Queensland. Chapter 7 Part 1 Division 2 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (the EP Act) stipulates how this is achieved.

In some circumstances the notification is required within a 24 hour period. For more information about your duty to notify read the Guideline – The duty to notify of environmental harm which is form number ESR/2016/2271.

Timeframe to make a notification

If you have a duty to notify, and become aware that a notifiable activity under Schedule 3 of the EP Act has been or is being carried out, you must notify the department in writing within 20 business days of the activity commencing or from when you become aware.

In all other circumstances, you must notify the department in writing within 24 hours and should immediately call the department’s Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372 to make a report. The Pollution Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Whilst not a legislative requirement, reporting to the Pollution Hotline allows the department to take necessary measures to prevent further harm and to mitigate the effects of an incident or event.

How to make a notification

The following information explains how and when to make a notification in specific circumstances.