Clyde Street Remediation Project The Project Location

Transcription

1 The Project Location

2 The Project Site

3 Who is Jemena? Jemena is an Australian infrastructure company that builds, owns and manages a combination of major electricity, gas and water assets in Australia. Jemena was formed following the acquisition of assets and businesses from Alinta Ltd, including the former AGL Group's gas infrastructure business. In NSW Jemena delivers natural gas to more than 1.3 million customers (including in the greater Newcastle area) through its extensive gas distribution network. The company also owns electricity distribution assets in Victoria and gas transmission pipelines across eastern Australia. Jemena Operating Location ASSETS 100% OWNED & MANAGED BY JEMENA Jemena Electricity Distribution Network Jemena Gas Distribution Network Queensland Gas pipeline Eastern Gas Pipeline VicHub Colongra Gas Facility Rosehill Recycled Water Scheme 1 2 ASSETS PARTIALLY OWNED BY JEMENA ActewAGL (50%) 4 9 United Energy Distribution (34%) 5 Who is GHD? GHD is one of the world s leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting companies. Established in Australia in 1928 and wholly owned by its people, GHD serves clients in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. GHD is assisting Jemena in preparation of the required project approvals and in managing stakeholder engagement for this project.

4 Site history The Newcastle Gas Company operated the Site as a gasworks from 1913 to The City of Newcastle Gas & Coke Company manufactured and distributed town gas to the City of Newcastle, New South Wales from The manufacture of town gas ceased with the introduction of natural gas to Newcastle in Under construction 1911 In operation 1952 August 1997 Undated image Source:

5 The Remediation Project The gas production process resulted in waste by-products such as coal tar, ammonia liquor, and spent oxides which accumulated in the soil over time. The site is heavily contaminated and Jemena proposes to remediate the site to reduce the risk to human health and the environment and make the site suitable for future sale and redevelopment. Remediation works at the site will be undertaken in two key stages: - Stage 1: minor surface remediation and removal of redundant infrastructure (complete). - Stage 2: extensive remediation of the site. A detailed Remediation Action Plan (RAP) is being developed to guide the Stage 2 works. The RAP must be approved by the EPA. Numerous environmental investigations have been performed, including comprehensive studies in late 2015 and early These investigations are ongoing to inform the remediation strategy. - These investigations are not expected to have any impact on the local community. An Environment Impact Statement (EIS) is in the early stages of preparation to assess all environmental and social impacts of a range of options for the Stage 2 works. The Stage 2 works will only proceed once the Minister approves the remediation application. In late 2015 the NSW EPA issued a management order to Jemena which imposes timeframes for the remediation.

6 Stage 1 remediation works The Stage 1 remediation works are now complete. These works included: Removing redundant infrastructure (such as the naphtha tank see photos) Clearing some vegetation and surface contamination and undertaking weed control Limited excavation work Covering stockpiles containing contaminated material to prevent wind and sediment erosion The purpose of the work was to tidy up the site and allow Jemena to prepare for the Stage 2 remediation works. A temporary groundwater boundary control system was also installed to minimise the offsite movement of contaminated groundwater (see figure, left). The system includes 15 extraction wells on the eastern and southern boundaries of the site which intercept and treat the groundwater.

7 The Planning Process - Stage 2 works Stage 2 works This will address the majority of contamination onsite, which requires further investigation to develop a suitable remediation strategy. These works require development consent. We are here Site investigations Remediation strategy finalised & RAP prepared A RAP and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for Stage 2 to support the development consent application. The EIS will include mitigation measures to minimise any significant impacts on the local community or environment during the remediation works. Obtain Secretary s environmental assessment requirements for EIS Prepare EIS The Remediation Action Plan (RAP) The RAP sets out how the remediation works will be undertaken. The purpose is to document a remediation strategy to address any environmental issues posed by the contamination. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) As part of the EIS process, a range of specialist studies will assess the environmental and social acceptability of proposed remediation work. The EIS will also consider and address any community concerns that may be identified. Lodge EIS with regulatory authority Public exhibition of EIS (min. 30 days) Respond to submissions on EIS Regulatory authority reviews EIS & determines development application Stakeholder consultation Obtain post-approvals licenses as required Remediation works commence

8 Community Consultation Jemena is committed to consulting with the community throughout the life of the project. Your feedback is valuable in helping us with the planning and assessment stages of this project. Please complete a feedback form and place it in the Feedback Box today, or return it by mail. For more information: Call the community line on the project team at clydestreet@jemena.com.au Community Newsletter June 2014 Community Drop-In Session June 2014 Community Newsletter October 2014 Community Drop-In Session October 2014 Community Newsletter August 2015 Community Drop-In Session March 2016 Next steps The development and finalisation of the technical assessments for the remediation action plan and environmental approvals are currently the main focus of the project. Today s is the thrid drop-in session, and we will provide project updates and information as this process continues through to and including the EIS exhibition. Thank you for your participation this evening.

9 Boundary Control System Jemena has installed a boundary ground water well extraction network to minimise contaminated ground water from flowing into Styx Creek. This system, technically known as hydraulic containment, works by lowering ground water levels in the area adjacent to Styx Creek, which will minimise ground water from the site flowing to the creek. Contaminated ground water is extracted from the wells and treated in a water treatment plant onsite. Jemena has an agreement and licence with Hunter Water to safely dispose of the treated water to strict conditions. This system will allow Jemena to continue working on obtaining approvals to start substantial remediation works to remove the source of the contamination. Jemena is fully committed to remediating the site to EPA standards and will be monitoring the effectiveness of the well extraction network, reporting monthly to the EPA. All stakeholders can be assured that process is being independently supervised. Above: A bunded collection point. Right: Groundwater extraction.