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Changes of Land Use on Potentially Contaminated Land
When a land use change is contemplated for contaminated land it is important to consider the proposed future use of the land and how it might be affected by the presence of contaminants. Changes from other land use to residential use are of particular importance because of the greater potential to impact human health.
In the Tasman District historic orcharding and former sheep dips are land uses that are most likely to have contaminated the soil with pesticide residues exceeding residential soil guidelines. Soil testing and, if necessary remediation, will be required before such land is suitable for residential use.
If contaminant residues exceed relevant residential or other soil criteria remediation measures may be necessary. The nature of such remediation and the associated costs will vary depending on the level and distribution of the contaminant residues, the size and layout of the site, and the remedy (or remedies) chosen. Possible remedies include cap and contain, excavation of contaminated soils, or vertical blending by deep ploughing of contaminated soils with clean soils where practical.
Whilst the protection of human health is an important consideration, other land uses may have particular requirements and industry standards such as organic agriculture and horticulture. Council does not provide advice on the suitability, or otherwise, of contaminated land and horticultural land use.