From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, a carbolic acid plant operated on reclaimed land on the foreshore area of Nelson Parade.
From 1911 to 1915, refining occurred on the site for the extraction of radium. As a result, the soil has been contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, total petroleum hydrocarbons, lead and arsenic and has been impacted by radiological materials above background levels which are inconsistent with the residential setting of the land.
This site is now being remediated by the NSW Government.
Planning consent to remediate the site was approved on 12 April 2021.
The remediation has involved the contaminated soil being removed and disposed of in a licensed waste facility that is designed to receive radiologically impacted waste.
The EPA’s role is to ensure that the Hunters Hill site remediation is undertaken in accordance with the Nelson Parade Management Order and Remedial Action Plan under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997.
The Management Order requires that the remediation and validation be completed by 28 February 2025.
In addition to EPA oversight, the Management Order requires independent review of the suitability of the land for residential use and the appropriateness of the remediation by an EPA accredited auditor.
The EPA also regulates the transportation of the contaminated soil from the site and its temporary storage prior to the overseas export to ensure that the community and environment of NSW are protected.
Stakeholders will continue to be provided with annual updates on the progress of the remediation work by Property NSW as required in the Management Order.
Further information on the nature and scope of remediation can be obtained from Property NSW.
Further information on radiation can be obtained from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.