Contaminated Land is defined as land (including water and air on, above or under the land) which:
- contains a pollutant in concentrations above naturally occurring levels, causing a risk to human health or the environment; or
- contains a pollutant in concentrations above naturally occurring levels, which has the potential to cause a risk to human health or the environment in the future, if not managed appropriately.
The risk of harm from contamination is often associated with the location, type and concentration of contaminants within a media (i.e soil, soil vapour and groundwater). The exposure method, for example ingestion or inhalation, and the level of exposure is also important when determining the risk posed by contamination.
The Northern Territory’s unique history (i.e. industrial and manufacturing activities, and impacts from the Bombing of Darwin and Cyclone Tracy) has resulted in contamination being present in some regional and metropolitan areas.