Policies and initiatives > Direction 7. A greener city > Policy 7.5

Policy 7.5 – Protect ground water and land resources

Ground water supplies in the Port Phillip region are already heavily committed, which will constrain future development. Pollution of ground water comes from sources that include landfills, quarries, fertilisers and septic tank systems. Ground water is a vital resource and will be protected.

Although most parts of metropolitan Melbourne are now sewered, a significant backlog of properties awaits connection to sewerage systems in places such as the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley. At the current rate of funding, this backlog will not be completed by 2030. The time lines for addressing this backlog will be substantially reduced.

Land is a critical resource and to ensure that it is suitable for future use it must be used, managed and protected in a sustainable way. Contamination may be caused by a range of human activities such as industrial activity, agricultural practices and clearing of land. Naturally occurring soil properties – as in acid sulfate soils and high arsenic levels – also need to be considered.

When acid sulfate soils, which generally occur in coastal areas, are exposed to the air by draining or excavation, acidification of the water and land can adversely affect aquatic communities, agricultural practices and engineering works. As outlined in the Victorian Coastal Strategy 2002, mechanisms for minimising potential adverse impacts of these soils will include a mapping program, use of overlays and other planning mechanisms, training and awareness raising, and review of other regulations including the Industrial Waste Management Policy (Waste Acid Sulfate Soils).

Contamination of land can result from historical activities on or near a site. The State Environment Protection Policy (Prevention and Management of Contamination of Land) 2002 clarifies when planning and responsible authorities must consider whether a site is suitable for use. However, the issue is often the suspicion of contamination rather than known contamination. Sites that are potentially contaminated will be identified and managed in accordance with EPA Victoria policies.

Salinity is a growing concern in urban and rural parts of the region and areas affected within the growth corridors are being mapped. Saline soils can undermine urban infrastructure and increase saline loads in waterways and ground water. Thus, a supply of clean water is vital for communities and industry in the metropolitan area and beyond. Incompatible land uses will be prevented from establishing in aquifer recharge or saline discharge areas, or in potable water catchments.

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