Mr WOOD - 2004-10-13
In relation to the new waterfront development, is the Territory paying the bill for environmental risk and remediation of contaminated soil; for example, the dredging of the mud from Kitchener Bay and hydrocarbon removal from the old powerhouse site? Who will check what is in the mud and soil before it is removed from the area? Where will that material be going and who will pay for that work? In regards to remediation, who will pay for any hold-up in the construction of the project if there are problems with health, WorkSafe, environmental or remediation processes?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I believe I have all of the elements of that question, which was fairly detailed. In regard to who is checking, environmental consultants, URS, have been engaged by the Territory to investigate the site, determine any contaminants, and provide a remediation action plan which will satisfy the requirements of the environmental auditor. The outcome of those investigations has indicated that only a small proportion of the site has any contamination which will require remediation.
The Office of Environment and Heritage will oversee the disposal of contaminated soil in accordance with appropriate environmental guidelines. Provision for the removal of contaminated soil for the first stage is within the current budget allocation, and future allocations will be made as required.
Mud that is dredged for marine work will be disposed of at nominated disposal sites as approved by the Office of Environment and Heritage. The cost of dredging and the disposal of mud will be borne by the developer.
I believe the second part was, who pays for any hold-up in construction associated with remediation process? The project construction programming takes into account the remediation process. The developer has costed the civil engineering works and the Territory will pay for the decontamination component of these.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I believe I have all of the elements of that question, which was fairly detailed. In regard to who is checking, environmental consultants, URS, have been engaged by the Territory to investigate the site, determine any contaminants, and provide a remediation action plan which will satisfy the requirements of the environmental auditor. The outcome of those investigations has indicated that only a small proportion of the site has any contamination which will require remediation.
The Office of Environment and Heritage will oversee the disposal of contaminated soil in accordance with appropriate environmental guidelines. Provision for the removal of contaminated soil for the first stage is within the current budget allocation, and future allocations will be made as required.
Mud that is dredged for marine work will be disposed of at nominated disposal sites as approved by the Office of Environment and Heritage. The cost of dredging and the disposal of mud will be borne by the developer.
I believe the second part was, who pays for any hold-up in construction associated with remediation process? The project construction programming takes into account the remediation process. The developer has costed the civil engineering works and the Territory will pay for the decontamination component of these.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016