Construction of the new Woolworths at Bomaderry has hit a major setback, with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) declaring the site as ‘significantly contaminated’.
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The site, located on the Princes Highway, was found to be contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons including trichloroethylene (TCE) after recent testing. In particular, the EPA found the presence of TCE in groundwater at the site.
In a letter to nearby residents, the EPA said the contamination in the groundwater had been caused by the former John Bull Rubber Company and the blaze that gutted the building in 2011.
“Trichloroethylene, a chlorinated solvent, was used in the rubber manufacturing process at the factory and is now present in the groundwater,” the letter read.
According to the EPA, the groundwater is contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons at concentrations that exceed guidelines “that are protective of human health and/or the environment”.
On the EPA’s contaminated land record, the site is listed as having the potential to impact off-site occupants of the residences and commercial properties to the north, east and south-west of the site through “vapour inhalation”.
There are also potential risks to the ecosystems of Bomaderry Creek and Bomaderry Creek Regional Park.
In its letter to residents, the environmental watchdog said it was not yet known if the contamination had moved beyond the site, but advised residents not to use bore water for drinking, cooking or watering gardens until further testing was complete.
The EPA has asked the landowner to conduct further investigation and testing to better understand the extent of the contamination in the groundwater and to determine whether it had moved beyond the site.
“The EPA has invited Fabcot to submit a Voluntary Management proposal, which will outline how they will undertake additional work to assess and manage the contamination in groundwater,” The EPA’s letter to residents read.
If the EPA is not satisfied with the progress of this work, it may consider using a management order which would specify the EPA’s requirements for the contamination, to ensure it is dealt with properly.
The contamination findings are expected to cause delays for the Woolworths build.
Madeline Crittenden
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
Madeline Crittenden is a journalist for Fairfax Media at the South Coast Register.
