IT WILL take at least 30 years to get rid of a plume of toxic chemicals from the $6 billion Barangaroo development, a report into the Sydney harbourside project warns.
In that time a cocktail of dangerous byproducts including coal tar, lead, naphthalene, benzene and cyanide at the former AGL gasworks site at East Darling Harbour could accumulate in car parks and building basements on the site.
The report, by consulting chemical engineer Wayne Davies, says groundwater seepage will occur "wherever holes are dug and continue thereafter, ie effectively forever". He predicted that as excavation in the most contaminated areas proceeds, an oily, foul-smelling mixture of coal tar and water seeping into the holes will produce odours carried by the wind to surrounding areas.
The NSW Environmental Defender's Office commissioned Dr Davies to review remediation plans on behalf of Australians for Sustainable Development, an alliance of concerned residents, architects and community groups, including The National Trust.
The alliance, headed by the green-ban activist Jack Mundey, is seeking an injunction in the Land and Environment Court to prevent work going ahead.
The dispute centres on early works on the Headland Park at the northern end of the site and excavation works for a basement car park.
The Barangaroo development will include office buildings, homes, public spaces, parks, a hotel and walkways. The first building is due for completion in 2014.
The alliance argues that before the project applications were approved last year, inadequate plans to deal with remediation of contaminants were submitted to the planning minister. It says groundwater contaminated with carcinogens as well as substances toxic to aquatic life could escape into the harbour.
It wants the approvals for the project declared invalid and injunctions to stop Lend Lease and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority from undertaking the work. Alternatively, it seeks injunctions to prevent the proposed remediation work going ahead until adequate remediation plans have been approved.
Dr Davies wrote that the concentration of contaminants surrounding the old tar pits and from the site of a gasometer will fall steadily until the proposed onsite groundwater treatment plant will no longer be necessary. But evidence from a similar waterfront remediation project in the US state of Minnesota suggests "a 30-year period seems like a good first estimate for Barangaroo".
"Before this time is out, there is the potential for water-carried VOCs [volatile organic compounds] to accumulate as vapours in any underground part of a building, carparks being the obvious example."
Mr Mundey said the alliance wanted to ensure that before "there's a rush to start work on the site, that the place is completely and thoroughly cleaned up".
Lend Lease said the court challenge would be reviewed by its advisers, but the redevelopment was "an opportunity to clean up historic contamination at the site and to safeguard the harbour and foreshore for future generations.
"Lend Lease is ... very experienced in remediation and regeneration."
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What contaminants were found at the Barangaroo site and how long will cleanup take?
A report by consulting chemical engineer Wayne Davies found a plume of toxic chemicals at the former AGL gasworks site in East Darling Harbour, including coal tar, lead, naphthalene, benzene and cyanide. Based on evidence from a similar US waterfront project, Dr Davies says a 30-year period is a reasonable first estimate for the onsite groundwater remediation to be no longer necessary.
How could groundwater contamination at Barangaroo affect buildings and public spaces?
The report warns that groundwater seepage could occur wherever holes are dug — potentially allowing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other contaminants to accumulate as vapours in underground parts of buildings, such as basement car parks, and to produce oily, foul-smelling odours carried by wind to surrounding areas.
Who commissioned the contamination review and who is challenging the Barangaroo works?
The NSW Environmental Defender's Office commissioned Dr Wayne Davies on behalf of Australians for Sustainable Development — an alliance of residents, architects and community groups including The National Trust and led by activist Jack Mundey. That alliance is seeking an injunction in the Land and Environment Court to stop early works by Lend Lease and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority.
Which parts of the Barangaroo project are at the centre of the legal dispute?
The dispute focuses on early works at the northern Headland Park and excavation works for a basement car park, where the alliance argues remediation plans were inadequate before project approvals were granted.
Are there risks of contaminated water reaching Sydney Harbour?
The alliance argues that groundwater contaminated with carcinogens and substances toxic to aquatic life could escape into the harbour. The report raises concern about seepage and the potential environmental impacts if remediation is incomplete.
What has Lend Lease said in response to the court challenge and contamination concerns?
Lend Lease said it would have the court challenge reviewed by its advisers and described the redevelopment as an opportunity to clean up historic contamination and safeguard the harbour and foreshore. The company also said it is experienced in remediation and regeneration.
How might the contamination issues and legal action affect investors in the $6 billion Barangaroo development?
The article suggests potential consequences for investors include project delays or injunctions, longer remediation timelines (the report estimates up to 30 years for groundwater treatment), possible changes to development schedules (the first building was due in 2014) and reputational or regulatory risks for parties involved such as Lend Lease and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority.
What should everyday investors watch for next regarding the Barangaroo contamination and remediation?
Investors should monitor the Land and Environment Court actions, any rulings on the validity of project approvals, updates to approved remediation plans (including details of the proposed onsite groundwater treatment plant), and public statements from Lend Lease and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority about remediation progress and project timing.
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