Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan The Council will monitor hazardous facilities to determine the cumulative effects of activities and ensure they do not create adverse environmental effects or reduce community health. Agency The Council will cooperate with the Land Transport Safety Cooperation Authority, New Zealand Police, and Department of Labour to monitor the movement of hazardous substances and to ensure that transportation of hazard substances is undertaken in a safe and efficient manner. The Council will act as a local co-ordinating body for agencies responsible for legislation, guidelines and codes of practice, to ensure that effective management of hazardous substances and facilities occurs. The Council will co-ordinate with Environmental Risk Management Authority to ensure effective management of hazardous substances and facilities. Consultation The Council will ensure public participation in any significant decisions involving hazardous substances or facilities which exceed specified threshold levels, fail to meet environmental standards, or pose a significant risk to the community. Education The Council will develop an education program to inform users about safe methods for the transport, use, storage and disposal of hazardous substances. The Council will promote knowledge on hazardous substances and facilities, and relevant regulatory controls. The Council will promote a clean production ethic aimed at reducing the quantity and type of hazardous substances used and the risks associated with that use. The Council will undertake education programs in conjunction with other organisations to inform users of hazardous substances about ways of reducing risks and adverse effects caused by hazardous substances and facilities. The Council will also act as a local source for information about hazardous substances. The Council will promote national industrial standards, codes of practice, and guidelines for the management of hazardous facilities to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse environmental effects. It is important to distinguish between the hazard and risk posed by the substance. Hazard is defined by the intrinsic properties of the substance, such as flammability or toxicity. Hazard determines what environmental effect the substance is likely to have. Risk is defined by the probability or likelihood of an effect occurring. In other words, risk is a combination of three factors, being the intrinsic hazard of the substance, the manner of use of the substance and the environmental sensitivity to the substance. The hazard is usually fixed while the use and environment can be modified. The manner in which the substance 17 - 4