Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:1850:p78
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1850 (pt 78/117)
Character Range: 566871–570183

14.2          General requirements
Reports should preferably be printed on A4 size paper, with durable covers and binding which allows for easy opening. Photographs and figures should be of high quality and adequately display the points of interest. Tables and figures should be formatted to enable easy reading (font size can be a particular issue when displaying large amounts of data) and printed as foldouts or enclosures where appropriate.
Where there is a series of site reports, each succeeding report should summarise the important and relevant portions from the preceding reports. This will assist in the rapid comprehension of new material by all parties involved.

Reports should follow appropriate subject headings and be structured in a logical way.

To support the site history investigation, copies of all current and old site layout plans, diagrams, correspondence, photographs, permits, etc. should be included in appendices. Where the site history is complicated because of numerous past uses and/or occupiers, information may be more effectively presented as a table or time line. An example is provided in Section 3.

A discussion of assumptions made in relation to the assessment, including those related to sampling density, sample locations, choice of analytes, off-site impacts and potential groundwater contamination, should be made.

Reports should also include the assessor's opinion and conclusions relating to the environmental condition of the site, as well as recommendations for any further assessment of site contamination or site work the assessor considers necessary.

14.3          Graphics overview
For all but the most simple of sites, some form of graphical representation is imperative for the assessor and other relevant parties to accurately visualise the site. Without such representations, inaccurate (and probably costly) decisions may be made. For large and complex sites, 3-D visualisation software may also be useful to illustrate the distribution of contamination etc.
Graphics should be well designed to promote understanding of the data. Some basic principles of graphic representation are given in Table 9.

Example graphics can be found in Appendix D.
Table 9. Helpful vs unhelpful graphics

Helpful                                                         Unhelpful
No cryptic abbreviations                                        Numerous abbreviations requiring searching the text for explanation
No elaborate encoding
Words run in natural left to right direction                    Words run vertically or in several directions
Brief text messages explain data                                Understanding graphic requires repeated references to text
No elaborate shading, cross hatching or overpowering colouring   Elaborate or obscurely coded patterns requiring continual return to legend or key
Simple, upper-and-lower case font                               Multiple overbearing fonts
Clearly printed                                                 Murky and clotted printing
Enlightens and arouses curiosity                                Graphic repels interest and obscures meaning

    (adapted from Langley 1993 and Tufte 1983)

14.4          Site plans
Site plans should be drawn to a scale appropriate to the size of the project and the level of