Wairau/ Awatere Resource Management Plan The Council will co-ordinate with ERMA 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 hazard and risk of a 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 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 a consent. 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 this 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 this 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. 18 - 4