Chapter 17 - Hazardous Substances and Facilities is stored or handled, and in what quantities can alter the level of risk (i.e. the design of industrial sites and site management practices, safety controls and contingency and emergency provisions and transportation procedures). The Hazardous Facility Screening Procedure is a tool for determining the status of an activity. Other essential and complementary elements include consents and performance standards for hazardous facilities. Compliance with industrial standards, codes of practice and guidelines, and site management plans will minimise the risks of adverse environmental or community health effects arising from hazardous substances and facilities. Proposals involving the use, storage, or transportation of hazardous substances that do not meet the standards prescribed in the Plan may still be acceptable given their individual circumstances including the nature of the substance, proposed operational practices, and local environmental conditions. Such proposals will be considered as non complying activities and assessed in terms of the objectives and policies of the Plan and specific criteria for hazardous substances. Cleaner production and waste minimisation practices will reduce the quantities of hazardous wastes produced by activities using hazardous substances. Improved information and understanding about improvements and cost savings associated with cleaner production systems can reduce the risk associated with hazardous facilities. One of the most effective ways of achieving safe use of hazardous substances, including agricultural and garden chemicals, is to ensure that users fully understand the adverse effects of misuse and therefore appreciate the use of best operational practices. Monitoring hazardous facilities, including storage, use and transport of hazardous substances will identify activities that can have adverse effects on the environment or community health. Monitoring can also determine if several hazardous facilities are producing a cumulative adverse effect. Monitoring will reduce the likelihood of dangerous or unauthorised activities which can have adverse effects on the environment or community health. Promotion of knowledge will enable the community to identify hazardous substances and know how they should be managed to avoid adverse effects on, and risks to, the environment. Community participation is an important element in the assessment of environmental risk. It is important to provide an opportunity for community consultation in respect of proposals that have wide community significance. 17.2.3 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 Avoidance or mitigation of adverse effects on the environment and community health presented by the disposal of hazardous substances. Policy 1.1 Facilities for disposal of waste hazardous substances must avoid the discharge of contaminants into the environment which are likely to produce adverse effects. 17 - 5