Government Consultation

Transcription

1 7 Government Consultation Government Consultation CHAPTER Introduction This chapter outlines the consultation undertaken with Government and other authorities as part of the development of the BGC Project. There has been extensive consultation with relevant authorities and agencies throughout the investigation and assessment of the groundwater contamination issue since it was initially defined in the Stage 1 Environmental Survey in 1989/90 (AGEE, 1990). This includes consultation with the EPA about the NCUA and the subsequent GCP produced by Orica in response, and with DIPNR s Natural Resources section about the management of the groundwater in the context of the Botany Groundwater Strategy (DIPNR, 2004). The BGC Project is one of the outcomes of the NCUA and GCP, and this chapter focuses on the consultation carried out in respect of the BGC Project and the associated EIS. The consultation process has identified key issues raised by the various authorities and agencies that require consideration by Orica in the development of the project and in the assessment of potential impacts as documented in this EIS. These issues have been combined with the issues identified by other, non-governmental stakeholders, as presented in Chapter 8, to provide a list of the key issues of concern associated with the BGC Project, presented in Chapter Formal Procedures for Consultation New South Wales Formal Procedures for Consultation Under the amended SEPP 55, the BGC Project does not require development consent under Part 4 of the EP&A Act. Instead, the project is defined as an activity and is required to be assessed under Part 5 of the EP&A Act and its Regulation (as amended). In addition, because the proposal is considered likely to significantly affect the environment, an environmental impact statement is required, through which the potential environmental effects can be properly assessed and considered in the decision making process. In preparing this EIS, the requirements of the Director-General of the NSW Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources were sought, as required by Clause 73 of the Regulation. Each of the matters raised by the Director-General for consideration in the EIS is outlined in Table 7.1, together with the a listing of the relevant chapter of the EIS. An unabridged copy of the Director-General s requirements, dated 23 July 2004, can be found in Appendix C. Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 7-1

2 CHAPTER 7 Government Consultation Table 7.1 Summary of Director-General s Requirements Matter Reference in EIS Planning Matters The EIS must assess the proposal against the provisions and objectives of relevant environmental planning instruments, including: Chapter 6 - Botany Bay Local Environment Plan 1995; - State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) No. 33 Hazardous and Offensive Development; - State Environmental Planning Policy No. 55 Remediation of Land. The EIS must identify the zoning of the land affected by the proposed development, and permissibility of these works within these zones. The EIS must outline the general scope of the remediation project, and how the subject proposal forms part of the overall groundwater remediation project. Specific comment must be made on the expected timeframes/duration for the project and the project components to which the subject project components apply. The EIS must provide a schematic diagram to demonstrate how the proposed works are situated within the overall context of the project. The EIS must provide details of any new or modified utilities and indicate the status of the creation of any necessary easements along the pipeline routes. Chapter 6 Chapter 2 & Chapter 5 Chapter 2 Chapter 5 Human Health Impacts All project components that involve the handling of contaminated materials must include an appropriate level of human health impact assessment, to demonstrate that the proposal would not result in an unacceptable carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic human health impact. Specific reference must be made to both acute and chronic exposures and relevant exposure scenarios/ exposure pathways. Chapter 24 Design, Building and Structural Issues The EIS must include details of processes applicable to project components, including intended capacities and inter-relations with other proposed or existing processes. Chapter 5 Additional Approvals The EIS must identify all approvals required for the proposed development and must include adequate information and an appropriate level of environmental impact assessment in order for the relevant agencies to determine whether to issue an approval/licence. Chapter 6 and throughout the EIS Consultation Consultation with the parties listed may be useful in the preparation of the EIS: Environment Protection Authority (DEC) Council of the City of Botany Bay Roads & Traffic Authority DIPNR (Natural Resources) Department of Health Chapter Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement

3 Government Consultation CHAPTER 7 Matter Reference in EIS Sydney Water NSW Maritime Authority (previously NSW Waterways Authority) Sydney Ports Corporation NSW RailCorp Landowners whose property may form part of the development boundary. It is the applicant s responsibility to justify the extent and scope of all consultations. The EIS must outline ways in which the wider community has been consulted about the proposed development. The EIS must also provide a Community Relations Plan which includes a strategy for the distribution of information to the community throughout the life of the proposal. Chapter 8 Hazard and Risk Impacts A preliminary risk screening must be completed in accordance with State Environmental Planning Policy No. 33 Hazardous and Offensive Development (SEPP 33) and Applying SEPP 33 (DUAP, 1994), with a clear indication of class, quantity and location of all dangerous goods and hazardous materials to be located on the site. Specific consideration must be given to inventories of dangerous goods and hazardous materials, as well as hazards that may be posed by leaks, spills and the full or temporary failure of any pollution control measures. The proponent should also consider the cumulative risk of proposed development in the context of other development in the area. Should preliminary screening indicate that the proposal is "potentially hazardous," a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) must be prepared for inclusion in the EIS, as required under State Environmental Planning Policy No. 33 Hazardous and Offensive Development. The PHA should be prepared in accordance with the Department's publications Hazardous Industry Planning Advisory Paper No. 6 Guidelines for Hazard Analysis (DUAP, 1997) and Multi-Level Risk Assessment (DUAP, 1997). Risk impacts associated with the transport of any dangerous goods and hazardous materials should be documented with reference to DIPNR s draft Route Selection guidelines. An assessment of the cumulative risk of the proposal, taking into consideration the Botany Randwick Industrial Area Land Use Safety Study (DUAP, 2001) must be included in the EIS. The EIS must include details of contingency plans for any potential failures during the operation of the development, including borefield operation, pipeline transfer system and GTP. Details of a proposed monitoring and maintenance regime to be implemented for the proposed development(s) Justification of the use of the proposed technology in the treatment of contaminated groundwater, including an indication of similar facilities located in Australia or overseas Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Chapter 5 Chapter 12 Chapter 23 Chapter 5 & Chapter 28 Chapter 4 It would be beneficial to lodge any completed and relevant hazard studies with the EIS. Chapter 23 Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 7-3

4 CHAPTER 7 Government Consultation Matter Reference in EIS Hydrogeological Impacts Consideration of the draft Botany Bay Groundwater Management Strategy in the context of the proposed development The EIS must provide a clear description of the hydrogeological setting for the lands subject of the proposed development and surrounds, i.e. the Botany Industrial Park area and extending to Botany Bay should be given. A description of the subsurface geological conditions as well as aquifer characteristics is required. Water table contours with inferred flow directions should be provided. The EIS must provide a concise depiction of the extent of groundwater contamination including all known plumes and range of concentrations present is required. A description of the nearby regional ambient groundwater quality should also be provided. lmpacts to the environment if the plumes from the Orica Industrial Complex are not contained should be clearly articulated. Specifically the effects on Botany Bay and any groundwater dependent ecosystems nearby should be discussed. The EIS must provide ongoing measures for the monitoring, assessment and reporting of the status of groundwater contamination, including a list of performance indicators against which the effectiveness of the proposal can be measured. Any computer modelling to predict the fate of contaminant flow should be fully described. The EIS must detail how the proposal may affect groundwater flow regimes and any management or mitigation measures that may be required. It is noted that all groundwater works (i.e. water supply bores for groundwater extraction, re-injection of treated groundwater or monitoring wells) are licensable under the provisions of Part V of the Water Act Accordingly, the EIS must provide a description with plans showing the layout of all proposed groundwater works. The EIS must provide a description and diagram showing the proposed design of groundwater extraction bores. The quantity to be extracted for groundwater treatment from each production bore instantaneous pumping rates (L/s) as well as schedules of the volume (in kilolitres) on a monthly basis should be provided. A list of indicative concentrations of contaminants in the groundwater to be treated should be included in the EIS; Details of the groundwater quality and volumes (instantaneous rates and monthly amounts) of any treated groundwater that is proposed to be re-injected into the sandbed aquifer should be provided in the EIS. Chapter 3 & Chapter 12 Chapter 3 & Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Chapter 5 & Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Chapter 5 & Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Chapter 4 & Chapter 12 Water Quality/Quantity Impacts The EIS must provide details on the proposed sediment and erosion controls to be implemented throughout the life of the proposal. The EIS must identify what measures would be implemented to ensure the integrity of all pipelines throughout the life of the development, including measures to detect any cracks or leakages. Chapter 11 & Chapter 14 Chapter Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement

5 Government Consultation CHAPTER 7 Matter The EIS must detail the potential for changes to sediment transport and associated water quality impacts along the length of the Bunnerong Canal, the potential for increased sedimentation of the Canal as well as the potential impacts associated with the transport of any contaminants bound to the sediment as a result of the proposed development. The EIS must also address the potential for impacts from the proposed development on port-related activities which occur at the Bunnerong Canal outlet. The EIS must address potential impacts to tidal flushing and current flows in Brotherson Dock. The EIS must provide details of the monitoring program to determine the quality of waters at all discharge points. Reference in EIS Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Chapter 5, Chapter 14 Chapter 28 Land and Soil Management The EIS must consider the suitability of the site for the proposed infrastructure with respect to the presence of any soil contamination. Should any contaminated soils be identified that may be affected by the proposed works, the EIS must provide appropriate management and mitigation measures to address this. The EIS must fully detail the potential for the proposed development to lead to further contamination of the soils or groundwater; Measures to minimise the potential for soil contamination should be provided, in addition to rehabilitation measures should contamination occur. The potential presence of any Acid Sulphate Soils (ASS) or potential ASS should be considered, with details of the appropriate mitigation and management measures outlined for any activity that may affect those areas of the site. This includes consideration for the impact of reinjected oxygenated water on ASS and details on any monitoring program to ensure minimal risk. Details of proposed measures to manage soil slurry generated during any drilling, including procedures to detect any levels of soil contamination and measures to manage, treat and/or dispose of this material. Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 13 Traffic and Transport Impacts A Traffic Impact Study (TIS) must be included as part of the EIS. The TIS should include details of expected traffic movements to and from the proposed development site with specific consideration of: Chapter 16 - traffic generation during construction and operation including, site access points, hours of traffic movement and proposed traffic routes (particularly measures to avoid any residential areas and sensitive land uses, where relevant); - impacts from any works carried out along the median strip of Foreshore Road with regards to the flow and safety of traffic along that road. Consideration of potential impacts on the flow and safety of pedestrians at Foreshore Road and the surrounding road network as a result of the proposed works; - proposed routes for any dangerous goods or hazardous materials transport (a Route Evaluation Study may be required, as detailed in the Department's publications Applying SEPP 33 and draft Route Selection); Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 7-5

6 CHAPTER 7 Government Consultation Matter Reference in EIS - the capability of proposed routes (including road and intersection capacity) to handle predicted traffic movements associated with the proposal. Any road upgrades that may be required should be noted with a summary of consultations with the RTA and Council (where relevant) in relation to those upgrades; - the cumulative impacts of traffic generated by the proposal, particularly the contribution that the traffic increases would make to existing traffic conditions in and around the site. Waste Management The EIS must identify the quantity and type of waste generated by the proposal during construction and operation and how this waste would be stored and handled on site, and collected, reduced, reused, recycled, or disposed of, in accordance with the EPA's guideline Assessment, Classification and Management of Liquid and non-liquid Waste. Details of how purged groundwater would be handled and managed, identification of the likely content of this substance, and how it would be appropriately treated and/or disposed of Identification of any materials/ waste that may be stored at the site, and how these materials/waste would be appropriately stored and managed to mitigate any potential impacts on the environment Chapter 15 Chapter 11, Chapter 14 & Chapter 15 Chapter 5, Chapter 15 & Chapter 23 Air Quality The EIS must assess the predicted air quality impacts associated with the construction and operation of the propose development. The air quality assessment must identify all fugitive and point source emissions and must assess these parameters from a projectspecific perspective in accordance with the EPA's Approved Methods and Guidance for the Modelling and Assessment of Air Pollutants in NSW (2000) and draft policy Assessment and Management of Odour from Stationary Sources in NSW (2000), where relevant; Measures such as the design of the pipeline(s) must be detailed in the context of minimisation of fugitive emissions from the proposal Chapter 22 Chapter 5 & Chapter 22 Noise Impacts The EIS must assess the predicted noise impact resulting from all noise sources during construction and operation, including road traffic noise. The noise assessment must be undertaken in accordance with the EPA's Industrial Noise Policy (2000) and Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise. In relation to construction noise, the noise assessment must be undertaken in accordance with the Construction Site Noise guidelines from the EPA's Environmental Noise Control Manual. Consideration of potential impacts resulting from vibration generated during any drilling activities Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Chapter 17 In addition, specific requirements of other authorities (EPA, Sydney Ports Authority, RTA, NSW Maritime Authority, Council of the City of Botany Bay) form part of the Director-General s Requirements and are summarised in Table 7.2 (and included in full in Appendix C). 7-6 Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement

7 Government Consultation CHAPTER 7 Table 7.2 Statutory and other relevant authorities comments and requirements Environment Protection Authority (DEC) Comment/Requirement Objectives of the proposal, including the size and type of the operation, the nature of the processes and the products, by-products and wastes produced Reference in EIS Chapter 3 Description of the proposal including the production process, cleaner production actions, and construction works Demonstrate that the planning process and subsequent development incorporates the objectives and mechanisms for achieving Ecologically Sustainable Development. Chapter 5 and throughout the EIS Chapter 29 Consideration of alternatives and justification for the proposal Chapter 4 Provide an overview of the affected environment to place the proposal in its local and regional environmental context. Provide an overview of the methodology used to identify and prioritise issues, and a summary of the outcomes of the process including all issues identified including local, regional and global impacts (eg increased/ decreased greenhouse emissions), and key issues which will require a full analysis (including comprehensive baseline assessment). For any potential impacts relevant for the assessment of the proposal provide a detailed analysis of the impacts of the proposal on the environment including the cumulative impact of the proposal on the receiving environment especially where there are sensitive receivers. Describe the methodology used and assumptions made in undertaking this analysis (including any modelling or monitoring undertaken) and indicate the level of confidence in the predicted outcomes and the resilience of the environment to cope with the predicted impacts: - Air Quality Impact Assessment - Noise & Vibration Assessment - Water Quality Impact Assessment - Soil Contamination Assessment - Flora & Fauna Impact Assessment - Heritage Assessment. Chapter 2 & Chapters Chapter 9 Chapter 22 Chapter 17 Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13 & Chapter 14 Chapter 11 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 ldentify the extent that the receiving environment is already stressed by existing development and background levels of emissions to which this proposal will contribute. Describe any mitigation measures and management options proposed to minimise identified environmental impacts associated with the proposal including an assessment of their effectiveness and reliability and any residual impacts after these measures are implemented, including: - air and vibration - water - waste and chemicals - soils. Chapter 26 Chapters & Chapters Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 7-7

8 CHAPTER 7 Government Consultation Comment/Requirement Reference in EIS Identify all approvals and licences required under environment protection legislation including details of all scheduled activities, types of ancillary activities and types of discharges (to air, land, water). Outline how the proposal and its environmental protection measures would be implemented and managed in an integrated manner so as to demonstrate that the proposal is capable of complying with statutory obligations under DEC licences or approvals (eg outline of an environmental management plan). Reasons should be included which justify undertaking the proposal in the manner proposed, having regard to the potential environmental impacts. City of Botany Bay Council Groundwater Treatment Plant to be decommissioned once it is no longer required for groundwater clean up, and an estimate of the timeframe for the operation of the plant to be included in the EIS. Detail the effectiveness of the Pump & Treat process in containing the contaminated plumes. Detail the appropriateness of the proposed technology for handling/processing the groundwater, and provide specific examples of where this technology is being used in Australia and elsewhere. Chapter 6 Chapter 27 & Chapter 28 Chapter 30 Chapter 5 Chapter 12 Chapter 4 Monitoring and impacts of water and air emissions Chapter 13 & Chapter 22 Cumulative impacts of emissions on surrounding environment Chapter 22 and Chapter 26 Human health impacts of GTP operation Chapter 24 Impacts of discharged water entering into the channels and the impacts on the Bay of this water, to include investigation into all possible uses for this treated water within the BIP Risks and issues with the proposed disposal of the waste material created as a result of the GTP, specifically issues with the reuse/disposal of HCl Details of the hazardous material to be stored outlining its classification, volumes and locations Evidence that materials used for the bioremediation trial will not adversely affect the operation of the GTP Issues raised by the community during the consultation process should be adequately addressed in the EIS. Chapter 13 Chapter 15 Chapter 23 Chapter 12 Chapter 8 Road and Transport Authority (implemented as part of works already undertaken on Foreshore Road) Orica must obtain RTA consent under Section 138 of the Road Act 1993, before commencement of any construction work within the Foreshore Road median and comply with any conditions imposed by such consent. NSW Maritime Authority (previously NSW Waterways Authority) The proposed method of construction of containment measures including controls to prevent any pollutants from entering Botany Bay An assessment of the impact of the containment measures on the groundwater plumes over time Proposed monitoring of the quantity and quality of groundwater flows downstream of containment lines Chapter 5 & Chapter 6 Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Chapter 12 & Chapter Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement

9 Government Consultation CHAPTER 7 Comment/Requirement Reference in EIS Proposed contingency measures for groundwater contamination control if needed subsequent to installation of containment measure Quantitative description of the air and water discharges from the proposed groundwater treatment plant together with an evaluation of their compliance with existing permissible contaminant concentrations Proposed monitoring program for water quality of discharged water at discharge point and Brotherson Dock Chapter 12 Chapter 13 & Chapter 22 Chapter 13 & Chapter 28 Part 3 A permit for works within 40 metres of the Mean High Water Mark Chapter 5 & Chapter 6 A detailed description of construction activities that would occur within 40 metres of Botany Bay including filling, excavation, clearing of vegetation and storage of material An outline of the measure proposed to manage potential environmental impacts during construction Sydney Ports Corporation As SPC owns Bunnerong Canal, into which Orica proposes to discharge treated groundwater, SPC approval is required for this discharge activity, anticipated in the form of a licence agreement. Assessment of potential impacts associated with increased flows in Bunnerong Canal, e.g. potential for changes to sediment transport, potential for increased sedimentation of the Canal, potential impacts on port-related activities which occur at the Canal outlet; and proposed monitoring and mitigation measures to address these impacts, where required. Chapter 5 Chapter 27 Chapter 6 Chapter 14 In addition to the above, Clause 72 of the Regulation to the EP&A Act lists the matters that must be included in the contents of an EIS. These matters, together with the relevant chapter of the EIS that gives consideration to the issues, are summarised in Table 7.3. Table 7.3 Statutory requirements for EIS EIS Guideline Requirements Reference in EIS Summary of EIS Executive Summary Objectives of activity Chapter 5 Alternatives Chapter 4 Consequences of not proceeding Chapter 4 Justification of proposal Chapter 30 Description of proposal Chapter 5 Description of environment Chapters Analysis of impacts Chapters Safeguard measures Chapters ESD measures Chapter 29 Summary of safeguards Chapter 27 & Chapter 28 Approvals required Chapter 6 Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 7-9

10 CHAPTER 7 Government Consultation 7.3 Consultation with Statutory Authorities Planning Focus Meeting A Planning Focus Meeting (PFM) was held at Orica s offices on the BIP on 3 June The objectives of the meeting were to introduce members of the project team to the statutory and other relevant authorities, and to provide an outline of the BGC Project to those stakeholders to enable them to consider the particular issues of concern. In addition, as part of the PFM, a site inspection of the then proposed location for the GTP was carried out. Prior to the PFM, a briefing paper was prepared and sent to the proposed attendees, outlining the details of the BGC Project to enable informed comment at the meeting. Representatives of the following organisations attended the PFM: Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR); Environment Protection Authority (EPA); NSW Health; South East Sydney Public Health Unit (SESPHU); Council of the City of Botany Bay (CCBB); Sydney Ports Corporation (SPC); NSW Waterways Authority (now NSW Maritime Authority); and Sydney Water Corporation (SWC). At the PFM, DIPNR provided an overview of the anticipated assessment process, based on the proposed amendment to SEPP 55, as subsequently gazetted on 30 July The details of this amendment are presented in Chapter 6. Orica provided an outline of the BGC Project, including the GTP, containment lines and extraction wells, the pipeline alignments to the plant, and the likely outputs of treated groundwater, waste and air emissions from the plant. Specific matters raised in relation to the BGC Project were discussed during the meeting BGC Project Scope Subsequent to the PFM and the issue of the DGRs, the proposed total capacity of the GTP was increased to 15 ML/day to maximise the effectiveness of the hydraulic containment. As a result, the size of the proposed location for the GTP, as discussed at the PFM, was deemed inadequate for the increased footprint. The current GTP site location was therefore selected, to provide the space required Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement

11 Government Consultation CHAPTER 7 Orica requested confirmation from DIPNR that the DGRs remained current, given the increase to 15ML/day and the change to the site location. DIPNR confirmed this in a letter dated 1 November This letter is included in Appendix C. The revised scope for the BGC Project and approvals process is described in Chapter 6. The EIS considers all operational elements of the BGC Project Consultation With Statutory and Other Relevant Authorities During EIS Preparation During the development of the BGC Project and preparation of the EIS, all relevant authorities were contacted for detailed discussions of the works and the associated potential impacts or issues to be considered and addressed. The key matters discussed are listed in Table 7.4. This table also identifies the relevant chapters of this EIS in which those matters are discussed. Table 7.4 Key matters discussed with statutory and other relevant authorities Authority Matters Discussed Reference in EIS DIPNR (Planning) DIPNR (Natural Resources) Environment Protection Authority Overall project scope, approvals process, and DGRs Chapter 5 & Chapter 6 Confirmation that the DGRs remain applicable in light of the revised approvals approach and associated scope of the EIS Preliminary Hazard Analysis parameters Chapter 23 Installation and operation of extraction wells Proposed volumes for extraction, based on containment requirements Proposed pumping rates/quantities to replicate groundwater model predictions Proposed monitoring locations and monitoring regime, to include baseline monitoring, automatic water level measurement, conductivity monitoring, production rates, and regular reporting of results Predictions in groundwater model to assess effectiveness of hydraulic containment Monitoring network to assess potential settlement/subsidence End-use of treated groundwater Impact on ecosystems potentially affected by changes to groundwater regime, e.g. Lachlan Swamps/Botany wetlands, Foreshore Beach, Penrhyn Estuary Chapter 5 & Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Chapter 5 & Chapter 12 Chapter 12 & Chapter 28 Chapter 12 Chapter 12 & Chapter 28 Chapter 5 & Chapter 13 Chapter 12 & Chapter 20 Treatment technology selection Chapter 4 Air quality assessment including parameters, model selection, scenarios and methodology Chapter 22 Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 7-11

12 CHAPTER 7 Government Consultation Authority Matters Discussed Reference in EIS NSW Department of Health Council of the City of Botany Bay NSW Maritime Authority Sydney Ports Corporation NSW Fisheries NSW National Parks and Wildlife Authority (part of the DEC) Sydney Water Corporation Roads & Traffic Authority NSW RailCorp Health risk assessment including parameters, model selection, scenarios and methodology Health risk assessment and methodology and parameters to be used including consistency with other risk assessments in and around BIP for example the HCB Waste Management Plan Human Health Risk Assessment (Car Park Waste) (URS, 2000) The following information was reviewed and agreed by DEC and NSW Health before proceeding: - health based screening criteria; and - exposure profiles for each category of exposed person i.e. tables that list relevant values for the parameters needed to calculate exposures such as, for example, how many days a person is at the location, how much they breathe, how much time each day they are there, how much they weigh. Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Approvals process Chapter 6 Potential impacts Throughout the EIS Treatment technology selection Chapter 4 Access agreements for transfer pipelines and works on Council lands Transformer installation works and use of land for drilling activities Requirements for Part 3A permit Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Effectiveness of proposed hydraulic containment Chapter 12 Discharge to Bunnerong Canal and potential associated impacts Chapter 14 Cumulative impacts of the proposed Port Botany Expansion Chapter 26 Potential impacts to Penrhyn Estuary from anticipated reduced flows of groundwater and surface waters, i.e. benthic communities, aquatic vegetation, sea grass, and potential knock on effects on other aquatic species Potential cumulative impact on ecology with proposed Port Botany expansion and anticipated changes resulting from the project Terrestrial ecological impacts associated with hydraulic containment Quality and quantity of proposed discharges to sewer, and revisions to existing Trade Waste Agreement Land use agreements of installing secondary pipeline beneath the SWSOOS Access to RTA property, and design of works in Foreshore Road and Botany Road Chapter 20 Chapter 20 & Chapter 26 Chapter 20 Chapter 13 Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Traffic management during construction Chapter 16 Agreement for access to land for installation of primary and secondary pipelines Chapter Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement

13 8 Community Involvement Community Involvement CHAPTER Overview Background Orica has engaged the Botany community, local interest groups, local industries, government and nongovernment organisations on issues regarding the Orica groundwater contamination since More recently, the engagement program has become more comprehensive, designed to inform all stakeholders of actions and activities being undertaken, to capture emerging issues, and to provide the opportunity for effective comment and participation throughout the process. The consultation program uses a number of communication channels to present information and to obtain feedback and comment from interested stakeholders. The consultation process is organised and managed by a dedicated Orica Community Relations Team, based at the Orica premises on the BIP. Community Liaison Committee One of the foundations of the consultation process regarding the groundwater contamination issue has been the Community Liaison Committee (CLC), which was formed at the start of the Stage 3 Groundwater Survey with the objective of acting as a conduit through which the Randwick and Botany communities are kept informed about the findings, proposed activities and progress of the Survey and subsequent works. The CLC has conducted regular meetings on a quarterly basis since its inception, and has been involved in a range of initiatives to inform and involve stakeholders in the groundwater contamination issue. One example of such an initiative includes the issue of regular newsletters to Orica s industrial and residential neighbours. This commenced in July The typical format of the quarterly meetings involves updates from both Orica and the regulatory authorities (such as the DEC and DIPNR) to keep members informed on progress with the various activities and findings, and to allow for questions and discussion of issues of interest and concern. The information is then passed on from the CLC members to other interested parties and stakeholders within the community. Membership of the CLC is broad, thus ensuring that it is representative of the wider community. The current membership of the CLC is presented in Table 8.1. Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 8-1

14 CHAPTER 8 Community Involvement Table 8.1 Group Community Liaison Committee membership Representatives Community Interest Groups Local Industry Representatives Conservation/Environment Groups Government and Regulatory Groups Independent Chair Australian National Sportfishing Association Banksmeadow Public School Botany Environment Watch Botany Bay and Catchment Alliance Botany & Eastern Region Environmental Protection Agency (BEREPA) NSW Recreational Fishing Association Save Botany Beach Solvay Interox Amcor Packaging Botany Industrial Park Pacific National Greenpeace National Toxics Network City of Botany Bay Council Randwick Council Office of NSW Member of Parliament, Kristina Keneally NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), including NSW EPA and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR), including Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) NSW Fisheries NSW Roads and Traffic Authority Sydney Ports Corporation NSW Waterways Authority Associate Professor Ronnie Harding Other Communication Channels As well as the information presented to the members of the CLC, the consultation process utilises a range of other communication channels for disseminating information and for seeking community feedback. These include: the Orica Botany Groundwater website ( which presents extensive information, including background information, fact sheets, newsletters and many of the technical reports related to the BGC Project; quarterly newsletters reporting information from the CLC meetings, distributed throughout the suburbs neighbouring the BIP; 8-2 Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement

15 Community Involvement CHAPTER 8 quarterly project briefing papers for CLC members. These briefing papers summarise the quarterly technical progress reports prepared for DEC; a regular column in the Southern Courier, prepared by the Botany Site Environment Manager, presenting information on progress with the project; regular advertisements through the local newspaper inviting community members to attend relevant workshops and information sessions; project updates via letterbox drops to 5000 local residents; more targeted letterbox drops to the 550 residents down-gradient of the BIP; and provision of a contact phone number, address and postal address through which comments and questions can be raised for consideration by Orica and response through the Community Relations Team Consultation Framework As part of the ongoing process of consultation, Draft Community Consultation Guiding Principles were tabled by Orica at the CLC meeting on 16 December 2003 for review by CLC members. The aim of these principles was to provide a guidance document for the involved stakeholders, which sets out a standard by which the communication and consultation process could be judged. The aims of these principles were: to promote an informed understanding of the environmental and remediation issues; to enhance the development, adoption and implementation of practicable and effective long-term remediation and management of the contaminated groundwater; to place the contaminated groundwater and its management in a broader context; and to achieve practicable, socially acceptable and environmentally responsible outcomes. The draft principles were reviewed, amended and agreed by the CLC members. These principles form the framework for ongoing consultation, for both the BGC Project and any other activities undertaken by Orica to comply with the NCUA. 8.2 BGC Project Community Consultation Program Consultation about the BGC Project has been incorporated into Orica s established consultation process, based on the same frameworks, principles and communication channels. Consultation has been carried out through a number of formats, including the CLC meetings, the website, the newspaper column, fact sheets and newsletters. Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 8-3

16 CHAPTER 8 Community Involvement In addition, a series of workshops have been undertaken, which are designed to provide specific information about the BGC Project, updates on the works being undertaken as part of the EIS, and an opportunity for discussion between the project team and stakeholders about issues and concerns. The objectives of the consultation program, and details of its various elements, are presented in the following sections Objectives The overall objective of the community consultation process for this EIS was to ensure clear, transparent, two-way communication by listening, recording and responding to issues as they arose. Specific objectives were to: disseminate information about the BGC Project and this EIS process to key stakeholders and the surrounding community; increase community awareness and understanding of the BGC Project and this EIS process and study findings; ensure that stakeholders and members of the community were provided with adequate opportunities through the consultation process to communicate feedback and voice concerns; accurately report community and stakeholder issues and views; build community confidence in this EIS and approval process; facilitate information exchange between the study team and the community, to enable joint understanding of issues raised; conform to relevant NSW legislation; and work in close cooperation with the relevant community stakeholders Community Liaison Committee As noted, CLC meetings are held quarterly, to update members about ongoing developments and progress of activities. The CLC has been informed about the various activities and developments throughout the progress of the BGC Project including, for example, the issue of the NCUA, Orica s response through the preparation of the GCP, and the proposed short-term and long-term activities for containment and treatment of the groundwater. As well as regular updates of progress, the CLC meetings have included presentations from regulators and Orica about specific topics and activities related to the GCP and the BGC Project. Such presentations allow for dissemination and detailed discussion about specific issues related to the BGC Project and have included: 8-4 Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement

17 Community Involvement CHAPTER 8 DEC presenting the regulatory framework within which the BGC Project was being carried out, with updates about the NCUA, the approvals process for works under the GCP and the BGC Project, and the future of the VRA; Orica presenting updates on the progress of the GCP and the BGC Project and activities to implement the NCUA, with topics including monitoring, GCP progress reports and VRA progress reports; Orica presenting updates on the residential bore monitoring program, undertaken bi-annually; Orica presenting updates on Orica s communication activities for the BGC Project with specific reference to the workshops for this EIS; DIPNR (including the DLWC) updating the CLC on the progress of the Botany Groundwater Strategy (Northern Zone) currently being prepared by DIPNR; Orica presenting the technology assessment process, and the basis for the preferred technologies (as detailed in this EIS); and URS presenting updates on the process and progress of the EIS for the BGC Project Community Briefing Papers Community briefing papers are prepared for the quarterly CLC meetings in order to provide committee members with information on issues associated with the GCP and the BGC Project. The briefing papers are designed to provide a non-technical description and analysis of relevant issues for the BGC Project. Briefing papers for the CLC meetings (numbers 19 to 22, between 16 December 2003 and 26 August 2004) presented details and progress of the BGC Project and the other works being undertaken. These papers addressed a range of issues, including the concept design for the GTP and the progress of the design and EIS. The community briefing papers are available to the general public via the Orica Botany Groundwater website EIS Workshops For specific consultation about the GTP, the treatment technology selection, the process and progress of the EIS, and the findings from the specialist studies, Orica organised a series of workshops, which were independently chaired by the CLC Chair. Through this forum, the GTP and EIS project teams were able to inform community stakeholders about the EIS preparation process, present preliminary findings, identify key issues of concern, and enable review and comment on the BGC Project. Four (plus one repeat) EIS workshops have been conducted during the period of preparation, with the final workshop undertaken at the end of October, at which the key findings of the EIS were presented for discussion before formal submission for assessment. Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 8-5

18 CHAPTER 8 Community Involvement Invitations to the workshops were extended to all interested stakeholders, including members of the CLC, members of the local communities, representatives of community groups, local industries and nongovernmental organisations. The workshops were advertised through a number of channels, including the Orica Botany Groundwater website, the regular Orica Botany Groundwater Cleanup column in the Southern Courier, dedicated advertising in the Southern Courier, Community Newsletters sent to 5000 households and direct contact. In total, around 150 people attended the four workshops. The workshops were held at the Orica Administration Building and chaired by an independent chair. The timing and scope of the workshops were designed to meet the needs of attendees to ensure that issues of interest/concern were addressed. A summary of the agenda for each workshop is presented below. Comments and issues that were raised during the discussions at the workshops are incorporated within Table 8.3, which provides a summary of the key issues raised during the consultation process, through all channels of communication. Workshop 1: 16 June 2004 A workshop was held during the morning. The main items on the agenda included: overview of the overall GCP, the various activities being undertaken, and how the GTP and its operations fit within the overall BGC Project; overview of the BGC Project, and details of the proposed treatment technologies/processes for the GTP; and overview of the EIS and the various specialist studies being undertaken. : 20 July 2004 A single workshop was held throughout the day, with a range of presentations covering the different aspects of the BGC Project, allowing stakeholders to attend those presentations of specific interest. The main items on the agenda included: updated overview of the overall BGC Project, the various activities being undertaken, and how the GTP and its operations fit in; updated overview of the GTP, and details of the proposed treatment technologies/processes; updated overview of the EIS and the various specialist studies being undertaken; details of the groundwater modelling work and its findings; summary of groundwater contamination and anticipated changes following implementation of the hydraulic containment and treatment; groundwater treatment technology assessment, including alternatives considered, preferred options and process selection; preliminary assessment of air quality, emissions and standards, and proposed works to be undertaken; 8-6 Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement

19 Community Involvement CHAPTER 8 treated water reuse and discharge, and waste management; Health Risk Assessment methodology and approach, and proposed works to be undertaken; Preliminary Hazard Analysis overall approach, guidelines and key issues to be assessed; and other environmental issues, such as site contamination, noise, traffic, flora and fauna, and heritage. : 15 September 2004 A workshop was held in the morning, to provide an update on the progress of specific aspects of the BGC Project. The main items on the agenda included: updated overview of the BGC Project, the various activities being undertaken, and how the GTP and its operations fit; findings of the independent assessment of technology alternatives; updated preferred technology selection process for the GTP, as previously presented to the CLC; updated findings of the groundwater modelling work, incorporating the additional containment lines and increased groundwater extraction; and summary of the changes to NSW Government planning legislation and the basis for the approvals process for the different components of the BGC Project. : October 2004 Two further workshops were carried out, on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 October, at which key findings of the EIS were presented. As there were a number of first time attendees at these workshops, the agenda accommodated a last minute change to provide the audience with a broad overview of the BGC Project and the GTP treatment proposal. The other main items on the agenda included: overview of the results of the air quality assessment; findings of the preliminary hazard analysis; overview of the results of the human health risk assessment; and forum for members of the public to raise any further issues relevant to the EIS Post-Submission Activities As detailed in Section 8.4, ongoing consultation activities will be maintained by Orica throughout the EIS exhibition and determination period, and for the operating life of the BGC Project. Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement 8-7

20 CHAPTER 8 Community Involvement Community Publications Newsletters Orica has produced regular Groundwater Project newsletters (between two and four a year) since 1999, for distribution in the community, in conjunction with the CLC. These newsletters provide a major source of information for the local community about the activities and proposed works associated with the GCP and the BGC Project. The newsletter is distributed throughout the suburbs neighbouring the BIP, including Banksmeadow, Botany, Pagewood, Hillsdale and Matraville. Following feedback from the CLC and local residents, the format of the July 2004 (Issue 15) edition was updated to cover the full range of tasks and activities being undertaken as part of the BGC Project. Issue 15 presented a range of information about the BGC Project and the EIS process, including highlights from the CLC meeting on 2 June 2004 and results of the first EIS Workshop, held on 16 June Issue 16 of the newsletter presented further information about the BGC Project, in particular about aspects such as the GTP technology assessment and selection process and the amendments to NSW Government planning legislation. Copies of newsletter Issues 15 and 16 are presented in Appendix M. Fact Sheets A series of fact sheets has been produced for the GCP and the BGC Project, designed to provide the community with simple, non-technical, easily understood information on various elements of the GCP and the BGC Project, such as the nature of the contaminants, hydraulic containment and the GTP. These fact sheets are available from various sources, including the Orica Botany Groundwater website, and directly from the Orica Community Relations Team. The full list of available fact sheets is presented in Table 8.2. Table 8.2 Reference Fact Sheet 1 Fact Sheet 2 Fact Sheet 3 Fact Sheet 4 Fact Sheet 5 Fact Sheet 6 Fact Sheet 7 Orica information fact sheets Topics Trials at Lidcombe Waste Treatment Plant Steam Stripping Unit Recommissioning Bioremediation Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Ethylene Dichloride (EDC) Hydraulic Containment Reactive Iron Barrier 8-8 Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project Environmental Impact Statement