The highest point in Wollongong’s Greenhouse Park offers some pretty spectacular views of the city.
Wollongong City Council is committed to addressing the legacy of this former landfill by giving more people the chance to enjoy the views of the cliffs, Five Islands and harbor.
We are working with the NSW EPA on a voluntary remediation process for a portion of this site in the southwest corner known to have the highest risk contaminants. Our focus is to minimize emissions of petroleum hydrocarbons and other items such as coal tar and lubricants.
“While these days we work within strict guidelines for landfill operations, in the past we had the same deep understanding of the risks to the environment and people from items such as coal tar and engine oil as we do today. Wollongong City Chief Mayor Gordon Bradbury AM said:
“Between 1948 and 1994, the site was first used as a municipal waste depot and then as a landfill site for builders. Over the last few years we have done extensive testing to better understand the areas where contamination exists and the types of contamination we are trying to address. using.st Century of knowledge and skills to work with. ”
Following approval by an independent site auditor, a remediation options evaluation was submitted to EPA. We also share information with the community to give you the opportunity to share information and provide feedback on the steps we are working on on the site.
A corrective action plan is being prepared in advance of the 2023-2025 site design and construction phases. Over the next few months, technical consultants were appointed by the council to prepare a corrective action plan to address the contaminants in the southwest corner of the site. enter the waterway.
The area will be set up like a construction site with fences and signs so there is no additional risk to the community while this process is underway.
“This is a complex and detailed project, and while the work is new, landfill restoration is not unprecedented in the city,” said Cr Bradbery.
“It may surprise some to learn that the site of Oonona Ocean Park, Russell Vale Golf Course and Nan Tien Temple have all been restored over time. We can continue to work with the NSW EPA on ongoing management.”
Cr Bradbery says the park, which has won several awards for environmental education, habitat creation and other initiatives since its opening in 1999, is home to an endangered ecological community. He said there is a great opportunity to protect and restore certain important wetlands and salt marshes.
“We cannot go back in time and prevent the damage 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 today to mitigate the impact of this legacy and take steps to do as much as we can to make it right.”
Community members may provide feedback on the Council’s plans to voluntarily remediate the site through the Council’s website or by calling the Council’s customer service team at (02) 4227 7111.
