The Hazardous Activities and Industries List (HAIL) is a compilation of activities and industries that are considered likely to cause land contamination resulting from hazardous substance use, storage or disposal. The HAIL is intended to identify most situations in New Zealand where hazardous substances could cause, and in many cases have caused, land contamination. This list is determined by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE)
The HAIL groups similar industries together, which typically use or store hazardous substances that could cause contamination if these substances escaped from safe storage, were disposed of on the site, or were lost to the environment through their use.
The fact that an activity or industry appears on the list does not mean that hazardous substances were used or stored on all sites occupied by that activity or industry. Nor does it mean that a site used by that industry will always have hazardous substances present in the land. The list just highlights that there is a greater probability of site contamination occurring than for other uses or activities.
A site may become hazardous because of substances stored, used or manufactured there, particularly if spilt or dumped inappropriately. In the Tasman District land used for the following activities is considered particularly vulnerable. These identified land uses are based on a national Hazardous Activity and Industries List (HAIL) produced by the Ministry for the Environment.
Many of the contaminants of concern such as pesticides, pentachlorophenols (PCP), benzene, arsenic or heavy metals can cause cancer or other long term illnesses. Some of the contaminants can concentrate in the food chain, poisoning fish, birds and ultimately, the people and other animals that eat them.
The property owner is liable for any contamination on the property, even if that contamination was caused by a previous landowner. The costs of the site assessment are paid by landowners, however, the Council may be able assist you in investigating and cleaning up contamination. Some government funding may also be available.
For more information about this contact:
The Council has a responsibility to investigate and control any adverse effects from hazardous substances or contamination during development, subdivision or use of land. The risks and the way potentailly hazardous sites are managed varies. Land uses and subdivision on HAIL sites are either controlled through the Tasman Resource Management Plan, or the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health. In Tasman District sites are generally managed by:
Many of the activites above will require resource consent and the Council recommends speaking with the Duty Planner or Resource Scientist - Contaminants prior to lodging an application for land use change or subdivision involving land that is or may be hazardous.
