Appendix 1: Checklist for Landowners to Assess Sheep-dip Sites and Management Options

1. Background information

How many years have you owned the property?

What is the current land use where the disused sheep dip is located?

• sheep and/or beef
• dairy
• viticulture
• horticulture
• agriculture
• lifestyle block
• subdivided for residential
• other (eg, parkland).

To help identify the chemicals used and relevant toxicity of the former dip site it is useful to establish the following:

1) What is the age of the dip?

2) What was the historical use of the dip?

• regular on-farm treatment (eg, plunge dip)
• portable units
• communal dip used by surrounding farms
• spraying unit
• other - specify here.

If this was a communal dip there is potential for higher levels of contamination.

3) Do you know which chemicals or products were used in the dips? (Refer to Table A.1 for a list of sheep-dipping chemicals and products.)

2. Locating the former sheep dip or dips (note: some properties may have had several dip sites)

1) Is it located near a woolshed?

2) Is it located near sheep yards?

3) Is it located near a water supply?

4) Check for visible signs of structures:

• concrete structures either intact or residual/destroyed structures
• timber structures or corrugated iron spray booths
• water races going nowhere
• old pipes
• a depression that has been backfilled.

5) What dip types or associated structures can you identify:

(i) below-ground structures:

• swim-through dips
• pot dips
• plunge dips

(ii) above-ground structures:

• spray dips (both race type and circular).

Other associated structures include:

• a draining platform drip pen near the dip (this may or may not have been concreted)
• a below-ground storage tank made of concrete (there may be a visible drainage outlet).

3. Contacting local people

Are you able to confirm the location of the sheep-dip site through talking to neighbouring farmers or local residents?

Yes

No

4. Chemical storage location

Do you know where chemicals were stored for the sheep dip?

Yes

No

If yes, have you checked that chemicals are no longer stored on the property and are disposed of appropriately?

Yes

No

Note: some chemicals no longer in use are recognised as being persistent in the environment. Call your council for free disposal advice.

5. What to do when a dip site is found

1) Identify the buffer zone of the draining platform, potential run-off area and discharge points. Ten metres is recommended as an adequate buffer zone from the dip.

2) If located near a bore, is this water bore in use today?

Yes

No

3) Is there potential concern for groundwater movement in relation to the dip site?

Yes

No

4) Are there any surface water bodies?

Yes

No

5) Check if the water gradient of the dip site might have caused contamination down-gradient.

Note: if contaminants are identified in the water, any risks for exposure of people or animals to this water supply need to be assessed. It may be necessary to divert run-off or disconnect receiving waters.

6. When is a site investigation required?

A site investigation is required:

• for application to subdivide
• for potential land sale
• for land-use change
• for discharge of contaminants to waterways and groundwater.

Note: It will be necessary in most cases to resort to an environmental assessment by a qualified experienced practitioner.

7. What areas need assessment?

Areas that need assessment include:

• soil beneath the bath
• structures used for dipping
• soil in the splash zone
• soil in the disposal/run-off area and where dip liquid was drained
• any bores in proximity to the dip site
• draining platform area.

Soil analysis will confirm the presence of contaminants.

8. Management options (to be determined in conjunction with council or specialist advice)

1) Isolate the site from people, crops and animals by:

• fencing off
• planting (plantation forest).

2) Dig and dump to an approved landfill: material needs to meet acceptance criteria and the site requires validation.

3) Cap or encapsulate: this may require an impervious membrane.

4) Do nothing: accept the risk to the environment (including people) and produce.