Funding for lead contamination in Lake Macquarie

BY JARROD MELMETH

The NSW State Government have committed to providing $800,000 in funding over four years to help manage legacy contamination issues caused by the former Pasminco lead and zinc smelter in Boolaroo.

The smelter closed in 2003, leaving behind toxic pollution for surrounding residents who reported having levels of lead in soil significantly higher than the national health guidelines.

The funding follows the NSW Government's decision in late 2017 to adopt all 22 recommendations of the Lead Expert Working Group (LEWG) on managing residual lead contamination.

The LEWG was established by the Environmental Protection Authority in 2014 and handed down its report in December 2016.

Boolaroo Action Group spokesman Jim Sullivan said he welcomed the funding but fears it will be wasted on administrative fees.

"The things that the community have got to be aware of, is that we do not want to see this funding of eight hundred thousand being gobbled up by administrative charges at the Environmental Protection Authority and the local council yet again.

"They have not had a really good track record of managing this issue, and they have failed the community in northern Lake Macquarie and they have also failed the community of Williamtown.We do not want to see any more failures and we need to be part of the administration of that money to ensure that it goes to the right places," Mr Sullivan said. 

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said she is pleased to see the funding made available.

"We look forward to working collaboratively with the Government to implement the recommendations and we are grateful to both the Lead Expert Working Group and the Lake Macquarie Community Reference Group for their work in this process over the last four years," Cr Fraser said.

The site of the former Pasminco lead and zinc smelter.
Photo: The Newcastle Herald