Chapter 18 - Hazardous Substances and 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. 18.5 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 Avoidance, remediation 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, remedy or mitigate the discharge of contaminants into the environment which are likely to produce adverse effects. Waste hazardous substances require careful disposal to avoid adverse effects on the environment. Effects include contaminated sites. Disposal involves a range of technologies including incineration, reprocessing and co-disposal in landfills. The present landfills are not suitable for co-disposal and are to be closed before the year 2000. Transfer stations will accumulate all hazardous (and non-hazardous) wastes for transport to a central landfill. It is necessary to have information in order to ensure that adverse effects arising from the transport of hazardous wastes can be identified and managed. There is a need for national agreement on requirements for transporting hazardous substances and hazardous substance information systems. 18.6 Methods of Implementation Education The Council will co-ordinate hazardous waste disposal operations and develop associated management strategies, including fostering a cleaner production ethic and promoting industry based waste management programs. Incentives The Council may initiate pick up and disposal programs for unwanted hazardous substances. The Council will provide transfer stations for the collection and temporary storage of hazardous wastes, including domestic 18 - 5