Environmental & Compliance
The Environmental and Waste Compliance team’s role is to ensure that the EMRC’s processes and activities are undertaken as per the requirements set out in the Red Hill & Hazelmere Licences (DWER) and multiple Ministerial Conditions (EPA).
PFAS Exposure Assessments – Dept of Finance/ Dept of Fire and Emergency Services
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are fluorine-containing chemicals that have been used since the 1950’s to manufacture products that resist heat, oil, and water. Due to these properties PFAS has over the years been commonly used in fire-fighting foam known as 'aqueous film-forming (AFFFs) and has been used on thousands of locations worldwide to suppress fires in the case of emergency and,also, for training purposes.
There are over 10,000 types of PFAS, with the most well-known types being perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro hexane sulfonate (PFHxS). Some PFAS, including PFOS, PFOA and related compounds such as PFHxS, have been globally identified as chemicals of concern due to their environmental persistence and bioaccumulation potential.
The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) is engaged by the Department of Finance’s contractor, to undertake validation soil sampling and laboratory analysis of PFAS contaminated soils at Fire Stations and at Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) sites in WA (metro and regional locations). Subject to the assessment of the sample analysis results and classification of the waste, the EMRC will provide transport and approved disposal to the EMRC’s Red Hill Waste Management Facility (RHWMF).
Assessment of the laboratory analytical results is made in accordance with:
- the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), Landfill Waste Classification and Waste Definition (LWCWD) 1996 (amended December 2019), and:
- the Heads of EPA (HEPA), PFAS National Environmental Management Plan, Version 2 – January 2020 (NEMP V2).
Contaminated Waste Disposal
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation regulates the transport and disposal of contaminated wastes within Western Australia and have licensed the Red Hill Waste Management Facility to accept up to Class IV contaminated waste under specified disposal requirements.
Within this framework, the EMRC Environmental & Compliance team manage the assessment and approvals process for contaminated waste and can provide advice on contaminated waste enquiries and acceptability requirements.
Some types of contaminated wastes that may be accepted at Red Hill include:
- Solid process wastes;
- Contaminated soils;
- Construction & Demolition Waste;
- Commercial & Industrial Waste;
- Treated Timber – including Power Poles (Creosote and CCA); and
- Asbestos contaminated materials and soils.
The Environmental & Waste Compliance team can be contacted on (08) 9424 2228 or 08 9424 2253
Environmental Monitoring/ Rehabilitation
Environmental monitoring programs at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility include extensive quarterly surface water and leachate pond monitoring and biannual ground water monitoring rounds with upwards of 70 locations monitored multiple times over each year. The monitoring program generates physico-chemical data taken from direct measurements and extraction of samples for extensive analytical laboratory testing.
Other environmental monitoring includes tracking Western Grey Kangaroo and native bird numbers present on site, control of onsite vermin (Foxes, Feral Cats, Rabbits) 3-4 times per year, and monitoring of rehabilitated offset bushland areas.
Filled and decommissioned Class III and Class IV landfill cells are also appropriately capped and rehabilitated with native vegetation.
Licence Amendment & Works Approvals
New facilities, infrastructure, and construction works at both the Red Hill Waste Management Facility and Hazelmere Resource Recovery Park will require Works Approvals to be granted. This is required by either EPA or DWER prior to any works starting and is dependent on the works and their impact on conditions under either a Ministerial(s) or Licence or both. This is a detailed process that can take 6-12 months to complete dependent on the scope and includes the necessity for the production of multiple reports and often a licence/ ministerial amendment.
Member Council services:
Annual DWER reporting commitments under the Baywaste Licence.
More information
For more information, please contact our Environmental & Compliance team at mail@emrc.org.au 08 9424 2222