The NSW Government has announced the $375,000 grant to the group of councils led by Bathurst Regional Council through the $4 million Council Regional Capacity Building Program.

The other councils are Oberon, Lithgow and Mid-Western.

The aim is for the contaminated land professional to develop a contaminated land management policy framework, a register of contaminated sites and provide training on contaminated land management issues to councils.

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“Their expertise will assist councils when they are dealing with land contamination issues arising from historical underground fuel tank leaks or land which was formerly used for industrial activities, for example,” Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said.

“Bringing this expertise to our region and upskilling councils through training will help to protect our community and environment.”

The funding is part of a NSW Government commitment of $23.5 million over the next four years to improve the management of contaminated land in NSW.

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“The officers can also help with planning the handover of responsibilities for Underground Petroleum Storage Systems [UPSS] from the EPA [Environment Protection Authority] to councils,” Mr Toole said.

Under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (CLM Act), the EPA regulates contaminated land where the contamination is significant enough to warrant regulation.

Contaminated land that is not regulated by the EPA is managed by local councils through land-use planning processes.

The EPA will continue as the appropriate regulatory authority for UPSS matters up to August 31, 2019, after which councils will take over the role.

The NSW Government says the EPA will continue to work with councils to ensure integrated management and regulatory oversight of fuel handling and storage systems.