Sydney Olympic Park Sustainability Planning and Policy Pakinee Chaikaew ID No. 4837979
Contents Introduction History of Sydndy Olympic Park Contamination of the site Homebush Bay remediation Risk Assessment Environmental sustainability planning and policy Conclusions Analyzing and Discussions
Introduction Location Areas Significance of the site
History of Sydney Olympic Park 1907-1988 : State Abattoirs 1911-1988 : State Brickworks 1928 : Chemical Industry 1955 : Union Carbide 1966 : Petroleum and Chemical Corporation Australia Ltd (PACCAL) 1890-1988 : land filling (most of it during 1960s-1970s)
Fig.1 : Olympic site located in the geographic heart of Sydney adjacent to Homebush Bay site
Fig.2 : State Abattoirs administration building (left) and State Abattoir complex (right) (1907-1988) Fig.3 : Stockpiling at the State Brickworks (1911-1988)
Contamination of the site The areas along the edges of Haslams Creek : heavy metals, lead, hydrocarbons, asbestos, pesticides and putrescible wastes. The groundwater near Haslams Creek : chlorobenzenes, chloromethanes and chloroethylenes presumably leached out of the dumped material in the ground The surface seep water : chlorobenzene, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, ammonium, fluoride, barium, copper, zinc and other metals Brickworks site : heavy metals, waste oil products, asbestos and organochlorine pesticides
Homebush Bay Remediation 1. Hazardous Chemical wastes - Indirect Thermal Desorption (ITD) - Base Catalysed Destruction (BCD) - Containment mounds 2. Leachate - Using bioremediation technique
Drainage swales to harvest water 200 mm Native grass New trees established on remediated site from seed harvested from woodland. To woodlands The capping soil was created on site from crushed sandstone mixed with Garden to Garden compost. The thickness of this constructed soil varies between 200 to 500 mm to suit different types of plants. One metre thick clay cap Wastes brought from other areas of the site Bennelong Road and Hill Road Footpath 500 mm 500 mm Where the mound is close to the woodland, soils rich in aluminium and iron were added. These special soils were recovered from the Olympic Village site and provide the same soil structure as that which exists in the woodland Original wastes dumped at the site Leachate drain Clay cut-off wall Leachate drains use flow gradients to collect liquids from the waste. Leachate is pumped to Lidcombe Liquid Waste Plant for treatment Original land surface Fig.4 : Woo La Ra, constructed waste containment mound with the height 28 metres, is the area has been remediated and now is created to be the Millennium Parklands. Special soils
Fig.5 : Wilson Park Bioremediation System (Sydney Olympic Park report, 2003-4)
Risk Assessment Human health and ecological risk posed by contamination in the sediments and water. Fish containing dioxins and furans found in sediments in northern Homebush Bay. Levels of dioxin in the fish were the highest ever found in Australia and approximately 300 times higher than levels in similar fish samples taken in Melbourne (Greenpeace, 1997). The fish were caught adjacent to the Union Carbide site showed clear signs of physical deformities in their heads, jaws and eyes.
Fig.6 : Physical deformities in their heads, jaws and eyes adjacent to Union Carbide site. (Greenpeace, 1997) in fish
Environmental Sustainability Planning and Policy Energy Conservation Produced ongoing future energy savings and raise public awareness of renewable energy options. Reduced operating times of water features to minimize energy consumption. Replaced older style prototype solar street lights with new environmental technology (Photovoltaic Solar Cells). Each year (2003-04) SOP authority sell approximately 24,000 kwh per annum of green energy generated by solar cells.
Fig.7 : The large International Aqua Centre almost uses natural lighting.
Water Conservation Minimize potable water demand from Sydney Mains Supply In 2003-04 reduced Park s potable water consumption by up to 50% (850 million litres) Use best practice environmental design principles, technology and management practices to conserve water Connect to the Water Reclamation and Management Scheme (WRAMS) Water management policy to maximize the benefits in its water recycling and management system reduced garden/landscape watering
Pollution avoidance Air Odour Water quality
Biodiversity Developing and implementing vegetation management plans for the remnant wetland and woodland. Trial plantings of saltmarsh at Haslams Creek Flats Collection of local provenance seed from endangered plant communities for planting within the parklands. Protection of endangered species such as Green and Golden Bell Frog, Grey headed flying fox, Blue-tongued Lizard, White Billied Sea Eagle, Tawny Frogmouth Owl, Whitestriped, etc. Implementation of an animal control program.
Waste Minimization Implement its waste reduction and purchasing plan (WRAPP). Its aim is to minimize the generation of waste and maximize the use of materials with recycled content. Separation of wastes generated by all activities for reuse and recycling and recommend the purchase of products with recycled low waste content. New laser printers with double sided printing capability for office areas. Recycling all used toner cartridges and the proceeds donated to charity.
Fig.8 : Separated waste garbage generally found in Sydney Olympic Park
Conclusions Olympic sites itself, once a dump for domestic, industrial and military waste. The initial aims of the remediation landfill at Homebush Bay were to block the spread of contamination, restore the waterways and provide for the long term social, cultural and sporting requirements. Waste was consolidated into a number of mounds on-site. "Green Games" bid including requirements for protection of heritage and biodiversity, energy and water conservation, waste management, sustainable planning and construction. A financial aim was included to ensure an adequate return from the residential and commercial development. Greenpeace Australia and other key environmentalists with the Olympic Games play a role as a watchdog.
Analyzing and Discussions Why does Homebush Bay where has been the landfill site containing a number of hazardous wastes was selected to build Olympic Park? The word Green Olympic was the specific key word of Olympic Game in 2000 to promote environment. Why does New South Wales government has to expense their money in wastes transportation for long distance to Queensland? The mound of toxic wastes is not lined underneath as is expected in modern hazardous landfill dumps.
Analyzing and Discussions (Cont d) Speaker talked only dioxin and pesticides elimination, but did not talk about other chemical wastes. The NSW government has chosen the cheaper, quicker and less reliable approach of containment. Perhaps some substances such as dioxin and heavy metals can be contaminated out. The mound of toxic wastes is not lined underneath as is expected in modern hazardous landfill dumps. Underground drains collect the toxic run-off and remove it daily, it is possible that this system ensures the safety of athletes and visitors visiting the Olympics; remains concerned about the long-term management and cost of these landfills.
Analyzing and Discussions (Cont d) Details of procedures and protocols for the open and transparent provision of information to the community either by newspaper advertisements or letter-box drops In environmental report may contain results of all environmental monitoring required under this consent and other approvals such as discussion by a suitably qualified person. The way to achieve the sustainable Sydney Olympic Park is program and activity involving with local people, for emerges the imagination and challenges all people to work towards sustainability. Comparing to Thailand