The Victorian Auditor-General's report on managing
contaminated sites was released on 7 December 2011. The audit
conducted by the Victorian Auditor General's Office (VAGO),
which commenced in March 2011, involved a detailed review of the
role and practices of DPCD, EPA and a number of councils in
managing contaminated sites.
The report concludes that these agencies "are not
effectively managing contaminated sites, and consequently cannot
demonstrate that they are reducing potentially significant risks to
human health and the environment to acceptable levels" (p.7).
Significant gaps are identified in the existing regulatory system
for dealing with contaminated sites, leading to lack of
accountability, coordination and responsibility, and inaction
(particularly in relation to "orphan sites" –
sites where the party responsible for the contamination is unknown,
insolvent or unable to pay for the cost of clean up).
