Bushfire & burn damage
Bushfire waste management
Government-funded waste removal
The removal of waste will be provided at no cost to those affected by the bushfires in 2019–20. Applies to asbestos, CCA treated timber (‘permapine’) and ash and hazardous chemicals like pesticide, herbicide and fertiliser, and the removal of bricks, rubble and demolition waste, e-waste, metals and polypipe and irrigation used by growers and farmers in the fire affected areas. >>More
Solid Waste Levy waiver
The South Australian Government has waived the Solid Waste Levy for for waste generated as a result of the fires that started on 20 December 2019 in Cudlee Creek, Gawler (including Angle Vale), Yorke Peninsula near Maitland, and Kangaroo Island.
Residents and businesses cleaning up after these fires will be exempt from paying the solid waste levy to the EPA.
To be eligible to claim the waste levy waiver at the landfill, the weigh-bridge operator at the depot may want to:
- Inspect the waste.
- See some identification that shows that your property address is in a bushfire-affected council area (Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula, City of Playford and Town of Gawler) OR an identification card for disposal issued by the State Government.
For this reason, when you arrive at the landfill depot please ensure:
- Bushfire-affected waste is separated from other types of waste.
- You have your driver’s license or other form of identification which shows your current place of residence OR an identification card for disposal issued by the State Government.
Bushfire waste will still attract the gate charge at landfill sites.
The EPA provides advice on disposal of burnt items from bushfires and other waste management issues.
CCA treated timber
Environmental risks
The chemicals and heavy metals present in the ash from burnt CCA treated timber poses a risk to groundwater and surface water quality, human and animal health, and soil quality.
CCA treated timber, when wet, generates a leachate that contains traces of heavy metal salts of copper chromium and arsenic, which may impact on soil and ground/ surface water quality in some environments.
Handling burnt or damaged timber
The highly toxic chemicals from burnt timber remain largely concentrated within the ash or are dispersed within a limited range of the burning site. This poses a health risk to persons in the immediate vicinity.
- When handling CCA treated timber or ash, appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn to avoid contact with and inhalation of burnt timber CCA ash, including but not limited to wearing impermeable gloves, eye protection, protective face mask/dust mask, clothing with long sleeves/trousers and suitable enclosed footwear.
- If CCA treated timber or ash is stored/stockpiled prior to disposal, storage should occur on an impermeable surface and be covered to prevent leaching and further dispersal of ash to the surrounding environment.
- Stock, pets and children should be excluded from areas containing CCA ash to prevent ingestion of harmful chemicals.
- A licensed waste transporter should be used to transport CCA waste to an appropriate landfill site.
- Treated CCA should be separated from other wastes. Remove the treated timber/ash from all other wastes. Wire, other timber, building materials, plastics, and vegetation should be separated and disposed of appropriately.
- Separation of CCA treated timber will facilitate disposal and recovery processes for each material. The presence of CCA treated timber in waste delivery may impact on both disposal options and disposal costs for the load.
- CCA treated timber or ash should not be retained on site or used as mulch or ground cover.
- Chipping the material increases the surface area and increases leachate potential.
Disposal
Do not dispose of CCA treated timber by burning or burying on site.
Guideline on copper chromated arsenate (CCA) timber waste—storage and management
Information sheet on managing bushfire wastes
Contaminated water in rainwater tanks
The EPA is providing advice on disposal of contaminated rainwater to water courses from bushfires and other waste management issues.
Water in rainwater tanks may be contaminated with ash and residents may desire to drain and discard the water to a watercourse and clean the tank.
For further assistance, please contact us on (08) 8204 2004/1800 623 445 (country callers) or by email.
Disposal of water to watercourse, creek or dam
SA Health has stated the water is safe for drinking but may be tainted for colour, taste and smell so consider the information in this fact sheet to ensure that your rainwater supply is suitable for drinking.
It is important to follow these steps during the process of draining a tank to a creek or dam.
- Place a hay bale, geotech material or similar between the outlet and the creek to prevent erosion and the transport of ash to water storages downstream. This may not be necessary if draining to sewer.
- Drain the water at a slow rate to ensure that the hale bale can effectively filter the ash and also prevent erosion.
The bushfire recovery website has more information on managing water resources.
Information sheet on managing bushfire wastes
Chemicals and paint
The EPA provides advice on handling and disposal of burnt or damaged chemicals and other waste management including bushfires. For further assistance, please contact us on (08) 8204 2004/1800 623 445 (country callers) or by email.
Chemical and paint drop-off is free in SA, and this includes chemicals and paint that have been fire damaged. For the location and opening hours of drop-off points, visit the Green Industries website. Please note that Heathfield may be over capacity for some time due to the Cuddlee Creek fire.
Personal precaution
- When handling burnt or damaged chemicals and their containers for disposal, appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn to avoid contact with and inhalation including but not limited to wearing impermeable gloves, eye protection, protective face mask/ dust mask, clothing with long sleeves/pants and suitable enclosed footwear.
- Stock, pets and children should be excluded from affected areas to prevent ingestion of harmful chemicals.
Storage and disposal
- If burnt or damaged chemicals and their containers are to be stored/stockpiled prior to disposal, storage should occur in a bin or container which can contain any leakage and prevent dispersal of ash. Alternatively, such items can be stored on an impermeable surface such as a concrete, paving or bitumen and be covered to prevent leaching and further dispersal of ash to the surrounding environment.
- A licensed waste transporter should be used to transport chemical wastes to an appropriate landfill site.
Information sheet on managing bushfire wastes
Bushfire-affected animal carcasses
The EPA and PIRSA provides advice on waste management, including the disposal of animal carcasses that may arise during bushfires.
An information sheet covering on-farm disposal of animal carcasses has been developed to provide guidance on the disposal of farm animals.
Animal carcass disposal should be carried out without compromising the more pressing needs of farmers, residents and emergency services.
In areas such as the South East of South Australia, consideration must also be given to the depth of the water table prior to burial of bushfire affected carcasses to ensure that groundwater is not polluted.
The EPA and PIRSA recommend that affected farmers and residents should contact their insurers prior to disposal of stock.
Preferred method of disposal
Isolated bushfire affected carcasses located throughout a property in the order of 10 per hectare (10/Ha) can be left to decompose naturally on site.
Dry rendering at an abattoir is the usual preferred method of carcass disposal, but following a bushfire this may not be a viable option. Burial is the preferred option for the disposal of larger numbers of carcasses.
For more information, contact us on (08) 8204 2004, 1800 623 445 (country callers only) or email.
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