From the highest point of Wollongong’s Greenhouse Park you can enjoy a pretty spectacular view across the city.
It’s providing more people with the opportunity to enjoy the views of the escarpment, the Five Islands and the port, that is driving Wollongong City Council’s focus to address the legacy of this one-time landfill site.
With the NSW EPA, we’re working through a voluntary remediation process for a portion of this site in its southwest corner that is known to have the highest risk contaminants. Our focus is to minimise the release of petroleum hydrocarbons and other items like coal tar and lubricating oils, which date back to the site’s former use as a tip.
“While we work within stringent guidelines these days for the operation of a landfill site, in the past we didn’t have the same deep understanding that we do now about the risk to our environment and people from items like coal tar and engine oil,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
“Between 1948 and 1994 this site was firstly the city’s municipal waste depot and then used as a landfill tip for builders. There wasn’t the same environmental licence requirements or landfill standards in place as we have today. We’ve done extensive testing over the past few years to get a better understanding of the areas where contamination exists, and the types of contamination we’re looking to address. This is very much a legacy problem that we’re using innovative 21st century knowledge and skills to address.”
Following endorsement by an independent site auditor, a Remedial Options Assessment was submitted to the EPA. We’re also sharing information with our community, to keep them informed about the steps we’re working through at the site and provide them with the opportunity to give feedback as well.
A Remedial Action Plan is being prepared ahead of the design and construction phase for the site in 2023-2025. Over the coming months, an engineering consultant has been tasked by Council to prepare a Remedial Action Plan to address the contaminants in the southwest corner of the site The proposed concept design currently being investigated uses an interception method to capture the contaminants to reduce the risk of entry into the waterway.
The area will be set up like a construction site with fencing and signage so there is no additional risk to community while this process is underway.
“This is a complex and detailed project but while the work is new, the rehabilitation of a landfill site is not without precedent in the city,” Cr Bradbery said.
“It might surprise some people to learn that Woonona’s Ocean Park, Russell Vale Golf Course and the Nan Tien Temple site have all been remediated over time. The step we’re undertaking allows us to continue our work with the NSW EPA on the ongoing management of the site.”
Cr Bradbery said the Park, which has won several awards for its environmental education, habitat creation and other works since it was launched in 1999, is an exciting opportunity to protect and rehabilitate essential wetlands and salt marshes that are home to endangered ecological communities.
“We can’t turn back time and prevent the damage that was done to this park some 60 years ago,” he said.
“But what we can do is use the environmental knowledge, skills and priorities we have now to take steps to reduce the impact of this legacy and to make right as best we can.”
Community members are able to provide feedback on Council’s plan to voluntarily remediate the site through Council’s website or call Council’s Customer Service team on (02) 4227 7111.
