Pasminco Administrator Attempts to Avoid Containment Commitment

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE AND MADELAINE MCNEILL

The administrator of the former Pasminco Smelter at Boolaroo is applying to the Department of Planning and Environment to water-down their commitment to monitor a lead containment cell.

Corporate recovery firm Ferrier Hodgson is hoping to remove a Department of Planning stipulation tying them to the future monitoring of contamination at the site.

The company claims it can't afford to pay for the monitoring unless the land is sold off to furniture giant IKEA for $22-million-dollars.

Lake Macquarie MP and chair of the Lead Expert Working Group, Greg Piper, says the application is concerning but the Department won't easily allow a weakening of monitoring.

Community members believe the application represents a shirking of environmental responsibility, and Jim Sullivan from the Boolaroo Action Group says he's worried about who'll foot the bill in future.

The former Pasminco smelter. Image: Newcastle Herald

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

Lake Macquarie combatting land contamination

BY MICHAEL COOK

After accommodating the Pasminco Cockle Creek Lead Smelter for over 100 years, Lake Macquarie City Council are updating their contaminated land management policy to deal with the continued fallout.

Lead contamination has been a constant problem in the area because of the smelter but the policy is also in place to deal with all types of contamination including asbestos and hydrocarbon pollution.

A Lead Expert Working Group has been advising Council on the most important changes to the policy to bring it in line with current legislation.

Lake Mayor Kay Fraser says it is important to be a step ahead to deal with contaminated land in the area.

"We're on the front foot making sure our policy is updated and ensuring our community is aware of what we're doing.

"We have encouraged our community to be involved along the way hence why we've had a number of working groups working closely with us," she said.

Old site of the Cockle Creek lead smelter

Pasminco Fined over Zinc Breach at Cockle Creek

Pasminco has been cautioned by the Environmental Protection Authority after it was found breaching its licencing conditions at the former Cockle Creek Smelter.

The land is currently being remediated at Boolaroo where the EPA has placed strict limits regarding water on the site.

Twice last year, Pasminco was found to have exceeded its zinc concentration limit.

EPA Hunter Region Manager Adam Gilligan says Pasminoc's actions will be held to account.

"We've taken action, not only to fine them but also to require improvements on site to prevent this from happening again".

"It's also pleasing in this case to see that Pasminco have taken our advice on board"

Pasminco have been issued two $1 500 penalty notices with the EPA saying the offenses pre-date the increase of the penalty notice to $15 000.