Soil Assessment in Children

1
Soil Assessment in Childrens Services

• Assessment of Site Suitability for use as a
  Licensed Childrens Service Interim guidelines
  for applicants for a childrens service licence
• Developed in 1997
• Only covered applications for new services
• New laws, standards and guidelines introduced

2
New legislation etc

• National Environment Protection (Assessment of
  Site Contamination) Measure 1999 Measure (NEPM)
  and relevant Schedules
• AS4482.1 2005 Guide to the investigation and
  sampling of sites with potentially contaminated
  soil, Part 1 Non-volatile and semi-volatile
  compounds
• AS4482.2 1999 Guide to the sampling and
  investigation of potentially contaminated soil,
  Part 2 Volatile substances
• State Environment Protection Policy (Prevention
  and Management of Contamination of Land) 2002

3

• Replaced by a series of Practice Notes
• Soil assessment guidelines for applicants and
  licensees of childrens services
• Assessing the soil in children s services
  guidelines for environmental consultants
• Soil Assessment Summary Report

4
Why is it an issue?

• Obligation to ensure the location is fit for
  purpose most sensitive land use
• Contamination issues in many areas with existing
  services
• Response of local councils

5
What has changed?

• New services
• Only required where the child is going to have
  access to an outdoor area and can play in the
  soil
• Services in multi-level buildings
• New occasional care services

6
What has changed?

• Includes existing services where particular
  criteria are met
• AIP application received (there is building or
  planning approval required) AND
• The works involve earthworks or deep excavations
  1 or more metres deep AND
• The works are going to take place in an area that
  is used for childrens outdoor play and will
  continue to be used for childrens outdoor play
  after the work is completed AND
• Soil assessment has not been undertaken at the
  service.

7
What is excluded?

• Minor landscaping
• Creation of sandpits or childrens digging
  patches
• Movement of play equipment
• Pouring concrete slabs
• Installing shade sails
• Works that do not impact on the useable outdoor
  space

8
When will the guidelines be available?

• Posted to website November 2006
• www.dhs.vic.gov.au/csguidelines
• Select Practice Notes
• Information in FACTS newsletter