Q: What is a Contaminated Sites Auditor?
A: A Contaminated Sites Auditor (CSA) is a highly experienced and qualified consultant who has been accredited by the Environmental Regulatory Authority (in Western Australia, this is the Department of Environment and Conservation) as being competent to assess the adequacy of investigation/ remedial work undertaken by other consultants and which a site owner/ occupier wishes to submit for consideration by the Authority.  The CSA is required to make a recommendation to the Authority regarding an appropriate site classification, based on the work undertaken, under the Contaminated Sites Act, 2003.   

Q: What does a Contaminated Sites Auditor do?
A: Conduct an independent review of reports prepared by, as well as support for your Consultant in the preparation of key environmental documentation relating to the Site.  The outcome of the Audit will be an assessment of the performance of the site investigations and any associated remediation, and ultimately the preparation of a Site Audit Report (SAR), which will include recommendation to DEC for the environmental classification of the Site for its intended purposes.

Q: When is it mandatory to use a Contaminated Sites Auditor?
A: Under seven circumstances:
1. An Investigation Notice has been issued by the DEC (under Pt 4, under S42, & 49 of the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, MAR required under S44, on the actions taken to comply with the requirements of the notice) 
2. A Clean Up Notice has been issued by the DEC (Pt 4, S42, 44 & 50 of the CSAct 2003)
3. A Hazard Abatement Notice has been issued by the DEC (under Pt 4, S42 & 51, MAR required under S44…).
4. A Certification of Contamination Audit has been requested from the DEC in relation to the Site (under section 62(3) (e) of the CSAct 2003 and S29(2) (d) and 31(1) (a) of the Contaminated Sites Regulations 2006 an MAR is required to accompany the request.   
5. Report/s have been submitted to the DEC in relation to the Site as a ‘source site’ (‘where contamination has moved beyond the boundaries of the property on which it originated, to affect other properties’) (under S31(1) (b) of the CSR 2006 an MAR is required…
6. Report/s have been submitted to the DEC (under S31(1) (c) of the CSR 2006 an MAR is required…) for the purpose of
• complying or attempting to comply with another written law
• a requirement or condition imposed under another written law (e.g. WAPC planning condition)
7. A written request has been received from the DEC under section 31(1) (d) of the CSR 2006 for an MAR  to enable the site to be properly dealt with under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 due to:
• the complex technical issues presented
• inadequate reports or information provided