Appendix E Contamination assessment
21/21478/181987 Burrill Lake Bridge Environmental Investigations
Roads and Maritime Services Report for Burrill Lake Bridge, Princes Highway Contamination and Hydrogeology Investigations
September 2012
Contents
Executive Summary i
1. Introduction 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Objectives 1 1.3 Scope of Works 1 1.4 Existing Information/Reports 2
2. Site Information 3 2.1 Site Identification 3 2.2 Surrounding Land Uses 3 2.3 Site Inspection 3 2.4 Site History 4
3. Environmental Setting 8 3.1 Topography 9 3.2 Soils and Landscapes 9 3.3 Acid Sulphate Soils 9 3.4 Geology 9 3.5 Hydrogeology 11 3.6 Groundwater Elevations 12 3.7 Hydrology 12
4. Regulatory Information 13 4.1 Overview 13 4.2 Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Searches 13
5. Preliminary Conceptual Site Model 14 5.1 Potential Sources of Contamination 14 5.2 Potential Contamination Migration Pathways 14 5.3 Potential Receptors 14 5.4 Potential Source-Pathway-Receptor Linkage 15
6. Potential Constraints 16 6.1 Contamination Constraints 16 6.2 Hydrogeological Constraints 17
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7. Conclusions 18
8. References 20
9. Limitations 21
Table Index Table 1 Site Inspection Summary 3 Table 2 Review of Historical Aerial Photographs (On-Site) 4 Table 3a Summary of Proprietors - 119 Princes Highway, Burrill Lake 5 Table 3b Summary of Proprietors -5 Princess Avenue South, Burrill Lake 6 Table 4 Published Geology 9 Table 5 Subsurface Conditions based on Nearby Borehole Information 10
Appendices A Figures B Site Photographs C Aerial Photographs D Regulatory Information
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Executive Summary
GHD Pty Ltd (GHD) was commissioned by the Road and Maritime Services (RMS) to undertake a Phase I Environmental Assessment of Burrill Lake Bridge and causeway as well as the surrounding land, Princes Highway, Burrill Lake, NSW (the study area). RMS is currently investigating options for the replacement or maintenance of the bridge. The objectives of the assessment was to document the study area historical and current site operations to enable identification of potential contamination sources, provide a desk-based review of site information including hydrogeology, hydrology, topography, geology and soils, and provide an assessment of the potential liabilities associated with site contamination. Based on historical information collated during this assessment, the study area has had relatively minor development from 1950. Further development of the commercial and residential properties of the surrounding area of the bridge/causeway has occurred since 1950. The Princes Highway and local streets linking to it have been there since at least 1950. The original bridge was built in 1818 and was replaced in 1958 with the current bridge. The Burrill Lake Bridge provides the only road crossing of Burrill Lake in the local area. The study area is surrounded by mixed land uses, however most are residential or commercial properties. The study area is of moderate environmental sensitivity. Based on the continued use of the study area at the current land uses, the study area generally represents a low contamination risk. However, potential constraints to the redevelopment in the area do exist. In addition, a former service station with associated soil and groundwater impacts was also identified immediately east of the site boundary, on the northern side of Burrill Lake. The above ground infrastructure has been removed, however the current status of the underground infrastructure and impacted soil and groundwater is not known. Potential constraints and their management options include:
Asbestos material: Removal of asbestos pipes on the bridge by class B (bonded) asbestos license contractor, to prevent any risk of contamination migration;
Contaminated fill: If fill within the causeway is likely to be disturbed, characterise the materials for contamination and produce management plans during construction works;
Acid sulphate soils: If soil/sediments within the area are likely to be disturbed, tests should be done to assess if acid sulphate soils are present to verify if management measures are required during construction;
Bridge construction: Understand the piling/footing options to establish and undertake a piling/groundwater effects assessment; and
Groundwater assessment: If the works are to intersect groundwater, dewatering of the aquifer system may be required during construction activities additional investigations should be completed to assess the quality of groundwater and the potential impacts on surrounding groundwater users and on the Quaternary aquifer resource.
Former Service Station: Assessment of soil and groundwater impacts, presence / absence of underground infrastructure, and potential remedial works prior to undertaking construction activities in the vicinity of the former service station property.
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1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction GHD Pty Ltd (GHD) was commissioned by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to undertake a Phase I Environmental Assessment of an area surrounding Burrill Lake Bridge, Princes Highway (the study area). The study area is located about six kilometres south of Ulladulla. The study area locality plan is provided in Figure 1 (Appendix A). It is expected that the bridge will require either replacement or substantial maintenance in the next 10 years to retain its functionality. RMS is currently investigating options for the replacement or maintenance of the bridge.
1.2 Objectives The objectives of the Phase I Environmental Assessment were to:
Summarise the study area history and operations to enable identification of potential contamination sources;
Summarise the study area’s environmental setting including; hydrogeology, hydrology, topography, geology and soils;
Summarise the potential for contamination in the context of the study area’s current land use; and
Provide RMS with the potential constraints to the upgrade/redevelopment of Burrill Lake Bridge, Causeway and the Princes Highway in the study area to assist with the development of future upgrade options.
1.3 Scope of Works To meet the stated objectives, GHD completed the following scope of work:
Site history review including: information held by the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) searches: the contaminated land record and Environment Protection licences, applications or notices record; review of historical aerial photographs and historical title deeds; and review of relevant information held by Council and any previous environmental / geotechnical / hydrogeological investigation reports that are available.
A desktop review of the soils, geology and hydrogeology of the site including review of published information such as soil, geology and acid sulphate maps, and a search of the NSW Natural Resources Atlas (groundwater database); review of published aquifer characteristics data such as expected hydraulic conductivities; and review of published salinity and acidity data for the site and surrounding area;
A detailed inspection to identify areas of potential contamination based on observation of surface conditions, and evidence of current or former potentially contaminating facilities;
Preparation of a conceptual site contamination model of the study area to identify the key potential sources, pathways and receptors of potential contamination; and
Preparation of a technical report clearly documenting the potential for contamination at the study area and providing potential constraints to the development constraints.
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1.4 Existing Information/Reports GHD has been provided with the following information regarding the study area:
Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), Environmental Planning and Assessment. Preliminary Environmental Investigations: Burrill Lake Bridge, December 2010;
Aurecon, Strategic Concept and Options Study Burrill Lake Bridge, December 2010;
RMS, Burrill Lake Bridge – Environmental Investigations Brief; March 2012
BMT WBM Pty Ltd, Burrill Lake Catchment Flood Study, July 2007;
Shoalhaven City Council, Burrill Lake Estuary and Catchment Management Plan, December 2002; and
HLA Envirosciences, Detailed Site Investigation Lots 212 to 215 DP 15648 Burrill Lake, NSW (Draft Report), May 2002.
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2. Site Information
2.1 Site Identification The study area consists of Burrill Lake Bridge and causeway, local streets, a section the Princes Highway on the eastern and western side of the bridge and a portion of Burrill Lake in the vicinity of the bridge. There are various commercial and residential properties within the study area including holiday apartments and tourist (caravan) parks as well as recreational parklands. The study area location is shown on Figure 1 (Appendix A).
2.2 Surrounding Land Uses The following land uses surround the study area:
North: Burrill Lake (upstream) and Stoney Creek;
East: residential and commercial properties, littoral forest followed by beach;
South: Burrill Lake (downstream) and ocean entrance, parkland, beach, residential properties and a tourist (caravan) park; and
West: residential and commercial properties and parkland.
2.3 Site Inspection A Senior Environmental Scientist from GHD undertook a site inspection on 23 April 2012. A summary of the information gained from the site inspection summary are provided in Table 1 below. Photographs taken during the site inspection, as referenced in Table 1, are provided in Appendix B.
Table 1 Site Inspection Summary
Items Comments
Local Area The local area consists of a bridge and causeway, Princes Highway other local roads and residential/commercial buildings surrounding the bridge. The area consists of holiday units and caravan parks that surround the lake. Photograph 1 and 2 were taken from the north western corner of the study area looking south towards the bridge. Photograph 3 and 4 were taken from the south eastern side of the causeway looking out onto the bridge towards the west. Photograph 5 was taken from the bridge looking towards the north western side of the bridge. The buildings are both residential and commercial properties including a Real Estate Agency, Café, Post Office and Newsagency. Photograph 6 is taken from the south western side of the bridge looking towards the residential properties on the north eastern shore.
Specific study The main uses of the study area are residential, commercial and recreational area uses purposes. The Princes Highway runs through the middle of the study area with local roads connecting to the residential areas and tourist parks. The bridge and causeway crosses Burrill Lake.
Chemical/fuel No chemical/fuel storage (WorkCover NSW Hazardous Chemicals Register) storage searches were conducted on the study area. GHD note that no specific industrial or
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Items Comments commercial units were identified that are likely to store large volumes of these materials. GHD are however aware of a former service station in the vicinity of the site (refer Section 2.5). The service station is no longer present and the status of the identified soil and groundwater impacts are not known. Recent aerial imagery indicates the concrete slab formerly containing bowsers and underground tanks may still be present, along with a network of groundwater monitoring wells.
Drainage and The study area is located on a coastal plain and is therefore relatively flat. Surface topography water runoff in the area flows into Burrill Lake before flowing towards the entrance to the sea. Various stormwater drainage features were observed within the study area.
2.4 Site History
2.4.1 Bridge and Causeway RMS has advised that the bridge and traffic barriers are reportedly made of precast plank concrete with old timber studs/timber piers remaining from the former bridge structure. The scupper pipes which are known to contain asbestos are over 10 metres in length. There are no records of the fill material used to construct the causeway, therefore, there is the potential for the fill material to contain contaminants.
2.4.2 Historical Aerial Photographs A selection of aerial photographs was examined to determine past activities and land uses at the study area. The years examined were 1950, 1967, 1975, 1987, 1991, 1997 and 2007; copies are provided in Appendix C. A summary of the information gained from the review of historical aerial photographs are provided in Table 2 below.
Table 2 Review of Historical Aerial Photographs (On-Site)
Dates Summary Observations
1950 The area in the vicinity of Burrill Lake Bridge consists of a clearly defined channel on the western shore and shallows surrounding the channel. The causeway extends from the eastern shore of the lake into the shallows with the bridge on the western shore across the channel. The area on the western shore of the bridge is less developed compared to the eastern shore. The land to the south and east of the Princes Highway is undeveloped and is predominantly sparsely vegetated system of littoral sand dunes.
1967 Further development on the eastern and western shores.
1975 Further development south of the highway on the eastern shore.
1987 Further development including the tourist (caravan) park south of the highway on the eastern shore.
1991 The area appeared largely unmodified from the 1987 photograph.
1997 The area appeared largely unmodified from the 1991 photograph.
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Dates Summary Observations
2007 The area to the north west of Burrill Lake Bridge appears unmodified from the 1997 photograph. The area to the west of the bridge has a new development complex which was formerly a cleared grassed area. The parkland area located to the south west of the bridge has a few structures (park amenities) and vegetation. The area north of the Princes Highway on the eastern shore appears more vegetated with no further development.
2.4.3 Historical Title Deeds A review of the current and historical title deeds was undertaken at two commercial properties within the area. One of these locations is currently used as commercial shops including a café, post office and newsagency and the second property is a caravan park. A summary of the land titles information from 1904 to present day are presented in Tables 3a and 3b. Detailed title information is provided in Appendix D.
Table 3a Summary of Proprietors - 119 Princes Highway, Burrill Lake
Year Lot / DP Details
2007 – to present Lot C DP 366082 Cafded Pty Ltd
2002 - 2007 Jocelyn Ann Park
1989 - 2002 R.L. & H.J. Snowden Pty Ltd
1984 - 1989 Lot C DP 366082 – CTVol R.L. & H.J. Snowden Pty Ltd 14085 Fol 126 1980 - 1984 John James Bird, Business Proprietor Margaret Catherine Bird, wife
1980 – 1980 Lot C DP 366082 – Part John James Bird, Business Proprietor Margaret of portion 38, Parish of Catherine Bird, wife Woodburn – Area 33 1966 - 1980 Perches - CTVol 6142 Edwin Fletcher, newsagent. Patricia Margaret Fol 175 Fletcher, wife. 1951 - 1966 Lyall Ewin Maguire, storekeeper
1951 - 1951 Ngawi Gilles Dean, widow. Perpetual Trustee Company Limited
1950 - 1951 George Best Dean, retired
1945 - 1950 Lot 2, part of portion 38, George Best Dean, retired Parish of Woodburn – 1931 - 1945 Area 7 Acres – CTVol William Henry Thomas, storekeeper 4469 Fol 164
1931 – 1931 Part of portion 38, Parish William Henry Thomas, storekeeper of Woodburn – Area 38 1907 – 1931 Acres 3 Roods – CTVol Emma Elizabeth Thistleton 1669 Fol 189 1905 - 1907 Maria Bollingmoore, the elder, grantee, grant of land purchased by conditional sale without competition
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Year Lot / DP Details No. 1905/10678
Table 3b Summary of Proprietors - 5 Princess Avenue South, Burrill Lake
Year Lot / DP Details
2004 – to present Lot 47 DP 1051945 Luke Ocean Pty Ltd
2003 – 2004 Anthony Charles Rolfe, Gillian Maureen Rolfe
1993 - 2003 Lot 1 DP 574593 Anthony Charles Rolfe, Gillian Maureen Rolfe
1988 - 1993 Edward Raymond Newman, Dorothy Irene Newman. Camping Ground Proprietors
1975 - 1988 Lot 1 DP 574593 – Edward Raymond Newman, Dorothy Irene Newman. CTV01 12697 Fol 69 Camping Ground Proprietors
Site is spilt into 3 Properties - Property (a)
1974 – 1975 Lot 372 DP 15648 – Area Edward Raymond Newman, Dorothy Irene Newman. 29 ½ Perches – CTVol Camping Ground Proprietors 4404 Fol 96 1970 – 1974 William Alfred Newman, camping ground proprietor Dorothy Irene Newman, wife Edward Raymond Newman, carrier
1962 – 1970 William Alfred Newman, camping ground proprietor Dorothy Irene Newman, wife
1959 – 1962 Annie Victoria Wilson, married woman Edith Jean Patricia Lucas, married woman
1949 – 1959 Daisy Dorothy Mackenzie, widow
1930 – 1949 Livingstone Gordon MacKenzie, manufacturer
1930 – 1930 Part of Portion 200, Livingstone Gordon MacKenzie, manufacturer Parish of Ulladulla – Area 1929 – 1930 78 Acres Roods – CTVol Harry Price Limited 1542 Fol 165 1923 – 1929 Volney Oscar Copper, railway employee
1904 - 1923 Mary Ann Copper, wife, grantee, grant of land purchased by conditional sale without competition No. 1904/1493
Property (b)
1974 – 1975 Lot 373 DP 15648 – Area Edward Raymond Newman, Dorothy Irene Newman. 14 3/4 Perches – CTVol Camping Ground Proprietors 4466 Fol 2 1970 – 1974 William Alfred Newman, camping ground proprietor Dorothy Irene Newman, wife Edward Raymond Newman, carrier
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Year Lot / DP Details
1962 – 1970 William Alfred Newman, camping ground proprietor Dorothy Irene Newman, wife
1960 – 1962 Leslie Thomas Wilson, storekeeper Annie Victoria Wilson, wife.
1957 – 1960 Clarence James Rogerson, ambulance officer
1931 – 1957 Rosa Susannah Rogerson, wife of carpenter
1930 – 1931 Part of Portion 200, Rosa Susannah Rogerson, wife of carpenter Parish of Ulladulla – Area 1929 – 1930 78 Acres 3 Roods – Harry Price Limited CTVol 1542 Fol 165 1923 – 1929 Volney Oscar Copper, railway employee
1904 - 1923 Mary Ann Copper, wife, grantee, grant of land purchased by conditional sale without competition No. 1904/1493
Property (c)
1974 – 1975 Lot 374 DP 14548 – Area Edward Raymond Newman, Dorothy Irene Newman. 32 ¼ Perches – CTVol Camping Ground Proprietors 5129 Fol 95 1970 – 1974 William Alfred Newman, camping ground proprietor Dorothy Irene Newman, wife Edward Raymond Newman, carrier
1964 – 1970 William Alfred Newman, camping ground proprietor Dorothy Irene Newman, wife
1954 – 1964 Leslie Thomas Wilson, storekeeper Annie Victoria Wilson, wife
1940 – 1954 Islay May Loader (nee Cummins), wife of bricklayer
1940 – 1940 Lot 374 DP 15648 and Islay May Cummins, spinster other lands – Area 1 Rood 1931 – 1940 27 ¼ Perches – CTVol Janet Matthews, wife of insurance inspector 4474 Fol 181.
1931 – 1931 Lot 374 DP 15648 and Janet Matthews, wife of insurance inspector other lands – Area 37 1931 – 1931 Acres Rood 17 Perches – Winifred Smith, Widow CTVol 4472 Fol 110
1931 – 1931 Part of Portion 200, Winifred Smith, Widow Parish of Ulladulla – Area 1929 – 1931 78 Acres 3 Roods – Harry Price Limited CTVol 1542 Fol 165 1923 – 1929 Volney Oscar Copper, railway employee
1904 - 1923 Mary Ann Copper, wife, grantee, grant of land purchased by conditional sale without competition
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Year Lot / DP Details No. 1904/1493
2.5 Previous Investigation GHD has reviewed the HLA Envirosciences report entitled ‘Detailed Site Investigation Lots 212 to 215 DP 15648 Burrill Lake, NSW (Draft Report), May 2002’ and a summary of the investigation has been provided below. HLA were commissioned by the Roads and Traffic Authority (now RMS) to undertake a detailed site investigation for the property located on the corner of the Princes Highway and McDonald Parade, Burrill Lake. The area is partially located within the current study area and is located approximately 0.5 km east of Burrill Lake. At the time of the investigation, the property comprised a service station (building and workshop) along with a residential dwelling. The property was under consideration for purchase for road widening purposes and therefore a site suitability assessment was required. Property infrastructure included above ground and underground fuel storage tanks along with associated fuel dispensing bowers. The investigation comprised undertaking soil sampling at a total of 12 locations, including installation of three groundwater monitoring wells. Groundwater was encountered at the site from 1 m depth and appeared to be flowing in a westerly direction (towards Burrill Lake). The subsurface profile was described to comprise gravels and sands to depths of up to 4.0 metres. Soils in the vicinity of the service station were found to be impacted by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) and Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl-benzene and Xylenes (BTEX) above the residential health based guidelines. Groundwater in the vicinity of the service station was found to be impacted above the investigation levels for drinking water and ecological guideline. In addition, some of the building materials were found to be asbestos containing. The report concluded that soil and groundwater in the vicinity of the service station may be unsuitable for the proposed land use. The contamination east of the site had not been delineated and further works to characterise the extent of the impacts were recommended. A remedial action plan (RAP) outlining the decommissioning of the site infrastructure was also recommended. The investigation also found that soils not in the vicinity of the service station are suitable for a residential land use scenario. HLA reported that the site has been utilised by motor vehicle traders since 1948 and possibly as early as 1946 and in 1979 the site was register as a service station. It is noted in the current (2010) aerial photography that the service station and above ground fuel storage infrastructure including the bowers had been subsequently removed. The status of the four underground fuel storage tanks and infrastructure, along with the impacted soils, is unknown. GHD recommends a review of any subsequent property investigation reports, if they exist. A copy of the draft report has been provided in Appendix D.
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3. Environmental Setting
The following section provides an overview of the environmental setting obtained from publically available information.
3.1 Topography An inspection of topographic maps on the Department of Lands Spatial Information Exchange Website (http://imagery.maps.nsw.gov.au/#) indicates that the study area has an elevation range of about 5 to 20 metres Australian Height Datum (mAHD). The study area is relatively flat, however, the southwest portion of the study area slopes gradually towards the sea.
3.2 Soils and Landscapes The study area is situated on a low lying flood plain which was originally wetlands that were cleared for urban development prior to 1950. (Shoalhaven Council 2002). The soils of the area consist of marine sand and alluvial soils flushed from Stoney Creek. The unconsolidated nature of the soils in the study area will require consideration in the design and management of the proposed development.
3.3 Acid Sulphate Soils The Land and Water Conservation Map, Tabourie Edition 2, 1997 indicates that there is a low potential for Acid Sulphate Soils (ASS) within the alluvial deposits/bottom sediment within the estuary area (predominantly 0-1 metres below the water). Acid sulphate soils (if present) would be highly localised and usually located near the boundaries of the areas mapped as highly probable for ASS to be present, which are located further inland of the study area, approximately 250 metres west of the study area. Although the ASS maps do not indicate the ASS is highly likely in the study area localised occurrences are possible and therefore should be considered in the design and management of the proposed development. The ‘Guidelines for the Management of Acid Sulfate Materials: Acid Sulfate Soils, Acid Sulfate Rock and Monosulfidic Black Ooze’ (RTA 2005) should be used if additional structures were be built within the study area.
3.4 Geology The Sydney 1:250,000 Geological Series Sheet Ulladulla (Sheet 1 56-13) published in 1974; indicates that the study area is underlain by Quaternary sediments and surrounded by Permian bedrock. The primary geological units are presented in Table 4.
Table 4 Published Geology
Period Group Formation Description
Cainozoic - Quaternary Alluviums, gravel, swamp deposits, sand dunes
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Period Group Formation Description
Palaeozoic Shoalhaven Permian Conglomerate, sandstone, silty sands Group - Conjola Formation
A summary of the geological information from registered bores on the NSW Natural Resource Atlas (NRA) website portal, within about 1.4 kilometres of the study area, is presented in Table 5. Copies of the records are provided in Appendix D.
Table 5 Subsurface Conditions based on Nearby Borehole Information
Groundwater Borehole Distance Top (m Base (m Description Well Number Type (m)/Direction from bgl) bgl) Study Area
GW057911 Public/ Within eastern GL 8.5 Sand portion of study municipal area 8.5 17.0 Sand 17.0 18.0 Clay
GW053964 Recreation Within eastern GL 6.0 Sand fine portion of study area 6.0 10.0 Pebbles, sand mix
GW111259 Domestic 10 m / north west GL 5.0 No details (private)
GW104019 Domestic 10 m/ north west GL 3.96 No details
GW107219 Domestic 0 m / south GL 150.0 No details stock
GW031493 Waste 10 m / south GL 3.05 Sand and silt disposal * 3.05 5.79 Silt
5.79 7.01 Sand and silt
GW053464 General use 1420 m / north east GL 75.0 No details m bgl – metres below ground level GL – Ground Level * - The Office of Water could not locate the file to find the specific details of the bore. However, they gave a possible explanation that the bore may have been used for re-injection of water, which has been used for gravel washing or crushing or some other industrial activity. The license was issued in 1969. The available geological information suggests that the site is entirely underlain by Quaternary alluvial and marine deposits. The Quaternary deposits are likely to reach thicknesses greater than 18 metres in places. The depth to the Permian deposits underlying the site is currently unknown.
The Quaternary alluvial deposits present beneath the study area are likely to thin and eventually disappear to the north and south of the site where the Permian deposits outcrop. It is anticipated that the Permian bedrock outcrops about 100 metres to 200 metres to the north and northwest in the vicinity of the southern end of Canberra Crescent. Bedrock is also likely to outcrop in the vicinity of the intersection
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of Wallaroy Drive and the Pacific Highway which is about 100 metres south west of the study area boundary. A low lying catchment associated with a small tributary draining to Burrill Inlet is likely to consist of Quaternary sediments which extend up to 1 kilometre to the south. The coastal lake setting of the study area is likely to result in variations of the composition of the Quaternary deposits between the inland portion of the area to the coastal side of the area. The lower energy environment further upstream and within Burrill Lake results in finer more silty sand sediments, whereas in the coastal fringes of the study area are likely to be cleaner more sandy deposits.
3.5 Hydrogeology The Quaternary deposits are likely to form a shallow unconfined aquifer system of relatively high permeability and high storage (per unit area) that is limited in lateral and vertical extent by the Permian deposits underlying and outcropping to the north, south, by the Pacific Ocean to the east and Burrill Lake to the north west. Hydraulically localised aquifer systems are also likely to form to the north and south of Burrill Inlet with Burrill Inlet acting as a primary discharge point for these aquifer systems. The underlying and flanking Permian deposits are likely to form a relatively lower permeability, lower yielding semi-confined to confined aquifer system. It is currently unknown if there is a hydraulic connection between the aquifer systems, however, if a connection exists it is likely that the Permian aquifer system discharges into the shallow Quaternary aquifer system. This is because the Permian aquifer is likely to be recharged in outcropping areas on the surrounding hills resulting in higher groundwater elevations.
3.5.1 Aquifer Parameters Hydraulic conductivity and specific yield/storativity are intrinsic properties of aquifer systems that define the ability of an aquifer system to transmit water. Knowledge of these parameters is essential for characterising flow into excavations and hence dewatering requirements, zone of drawdown influence around excavations and the migration rates of contaminants in groundwater. Therefore, the aquifer parameters of the study area are important to consider in the design and management of the development. There is however, no data available characterising the hydraulic conductivity and specific yields/storage of the Quaternary or Permian aquifer systems present in the vicinity of the site. Based on literature (Weight and Sonderegger 2000) the following parameters are likely within the study area. Hydraulic conductivities for the silty sands to sands present in the Quaternary aquifer system are likely to range between 0.015 and 5 m/day. The hydraulic conductivities of Permian sandstone and siltstone aquifer systems generally range between 8E-04 and 0.5 m/day (Weight and Sonderegger 2000), but are likely to be toward the lower end of this range. The specific yield of the Quaternary unconfined aquifer system is likely to be between 0.01 and 0.46 (dimensionless), but is most likely to be in the order of 0.3 (Weight and Sonderegger 2000). The storativity of the semi-confined to confined Permian sandstone and siltstone aquifer systems are more likely to approximate 1E-3 to 1E-5 (dimensionless), but in areas where the Permian deposits outcrop and become unconfined this value is likely to increase to between 0.01 and 0.33 (Weight and Sonderegger 2000).
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3.6 Groundwater Elevations Given the coastal location of the study area, it is anticipated that groundwater in the shallow Quaternary aquifer system would be relatively shallow across the study area. The only available groundwater elevation data available within the study area is for well GW031493, which was recorded to have a standing water level of about 1.3 metres below ground level (bgl). In addition, the groundwater level was observed to be present from 1.0 metre depth at the former service station property (refer Section 2.5). Water bearing zones have been noted in other wells screened within the Quaternary aquifer at depths ranging between 5.8 and 6.0 metres bgl. Given the topography across the study area it is unlikely that groundwater would be encountered at depths greater than 8 metres bgl. Based on the available data, excavations as part of the proposed development may encounter groundwater and it should be considered in the construction design and management. Additionally, if pumping or dewatering is required during the proposed construction this may adversely affect the water quality of the aquifer and surrounding groundwater extraction bores. The shallow groundwater system is likely to be primarily recharged by direct rainfall infiltration with a relatively smaller contribution from the flanking/basal Permian deposits. Areas that are developed and built on lower permeability silty sands are likely to have less recharge than the coastal dune systems that that are undeveloped and that have sediments of higher hydraulic conductivity. These factors combined will result in mounded groundwater systems within the Quaternary aquifer system with highest elevations located furthest from discharge points (Burrill Lake, Burrill Inlet and the Pacific Ocean). The mounded systems will be isolated to the north and south of Burrill Inlet. Based on this it is anticipated that groundwater systems beneath the study area are likely to discharge directly to Burrill Inlet. However, this would need to be confirmed with actual groundwater elevation data.
3.7 Hydrology The study area includes the eastern portion and mouth of Burrill Lake to the Pacific Ocean. Burrill Lake surface area is 4 square kilometres and the main tributary is Stoney Creek in the northern end of the lake. There are two major basins within the lake being the northern and southern basin. The catchment area is 78 square kilometres and the major land uses of the catchment include agricultural grazing to the north and eucalypt forest to the south and west.
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4. Regulatory Information
4.1 Overview As part of the desktop review, the following registers were searched: – NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Contaminated Sites Register (notifications or incidents); and – NSW OEH Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Licence register.
4.2 Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Searches Under provisions of the NSW Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (CLM Act) (Section 58, Subsection 2) a public register of current NSW declarations and orders in force is maintained by the OEH. The search of the register was undertaken for the Shoalhaven local government area. Under the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) a register of current and surrendered licences is also maintained by the OEH. The results of the Contaminated Sites Register searches are summarised below and included in Appendix D.
4.2.1 Contaminated Sites Register The NSW OEH Contaminated Sites Register lists both former and current contaminated sites deemed to pose a ‘Significant Risk of Harm’ under the provisions of the CLM Act. The register identifies the location of listed sites and provides notices (including site audit statements) relating to those sites. These notices also indicate the contaminants of concern and their nature of harm to the environment and human health. The search of the register, conducted on 8 May 2012, did not identify any premises within a one kilometre radius of the study area that were registered as a site that has:
A declaration as significantly contaminated land.
A site audit statement.
An approved voluntary management proposal.
An ongoing maintenance order.
4.2.2 POEO Licence Register The NSW OEH POEO license register identifies premises that are licensed for certain activities under the POEO Act. Information of particular relevance to this investigation, which is listed on the register, includes site location, activity type, relevant clean up notice, non-compliance information and load-based licensing data. Each licence provides information on potential point and non-point sources of soil and groundwater contamination that may be generated on-site through standard operations, accidental spills and leaks. The search of the register, conducted on 8 May 2012, identified that there were no premises within a one kilometre radius of the study area that has held an Environmental Protection License (EPL). A former service station was located immediately adjacent to the site’s eastern boundary. The site infrastructure has been removed and the property was not flagged on either of the OEH searches.
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5. Preliminary Conceptual Site Model
5.1 Potential Sources of Contamination The study area consists of the Burrill Lake Bridge, Burrill Lake, a section of the Princes Highway, local roads, residential, commercial and recreational areas, including tourist (caravans) parks. The original bridge was built in 1818, with the current bridge being built in 1958. The bridge and traffic barriers are reportedly made of precast plank concrete with old timber studs/timber piers remaining from former bridge structure. The scupper pipes contain asbestos and are over 10 metres in length. There are no records of the fill material used to construct the causeway, and there is potential for the fill material to contain contaminants. While the causeway remains undisturbed, there is minimal risk of environmental harm, however, if the causeway is to be removed or disturbed there is the potential for mobilising contaminants (if present). A former service station was identified immediately east of the site’s boundary. Soil and groundwater contamination was identified in 2002, which included impacts under the adjacent Princes Highway, which forms part of the current site area. Historical aerial photographs indicate that the study area has had no major changes since 1950. There has been some minor development of residential and commercial buildings. All major roads in the area were already in place by 1950. Based on the internet searches and historical uses of properties in the area there does not appear to be any former contaminating activities upstream or within the study area. There is a potential for contamination due to road operations. This could be caused through motor vehicles accidents or chemical transport spills from users of the roadways.
5.2 Potential Contamination Migration Pathways Should the causeway be removed and contamination found to be present (in addition to the asbestos pipes observed), potential pathways for human exposure to contamination may include:
Ingestion of soils and dust;
Indoor and outdoor inhalation of dust;
Dermal contact with soil and dust; and
Indoor and outdoor inhalation of vapours. Potential pathways of environmental receptors to be exposed to contamination include:
The lake system and ocean; and
Vertical migration through the unsaturated zone into the saturated zone and horizontal migration within the groundwater.
5.3 Potential Receptors Identified potential receptors include:
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Human Health – construction workers, current site users (commercial and recreational), and occupants of adjacent residences; and
Environment – groundwater, surface water (Burrill Lake), terrestrial and aquatic ecology.
5.4 Potential Source-Pathway-Receptor Linkage At present there are no potential linkages with potential contamination. If the bridge is to be removed, upgraded or redeveloped there is a potential for asbestos material being exposed and therefore a pathway is created. However, if the material is removed by a license contractor, then there will be a low risk of asbestos material being exposed provided appropriate management measures are implemented. There is a potential for hydrocarbon impacted soils and shallow groundwater to be exposed, during any construction works in the area of the former service station and therefore a potential pathway may exist. Due to the limited knowledge of the Fill material present underneath the causeway and sections of the Princes Highway further testing would be required, prior to any disturbance.
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6. Potential Constraints
The constraints encountered during the upgrade and/or redevelopment of the current bridge and causeway will depend upon the specific scope of the works e.g. drilling of foundations, excavations and possible removal of fill within the causeway. However, the potential constraints likely to be encountered are discussed below.
6.1 Contamination Constraints Based on the available information reviewed as part of this desktop assessment no specific potentially contaminating activities were identified in the study area, with the exception of the former service station located to the immediate east of the site. However, the following contamination constraints should be considered in the design and management of the development:
The bridge and traffic barriers are reportedly made of precast plank concrete with old timber studs/timber piers remaining from the former bridge structure. However, the scupper pipes of the bridge contain asbestos. If the bridge is to be replaced or upgraded these pipes would need to be removed by a no friable class B (bonded) asbestos license contractor.
There are no records of the fill material used to construct the causeway. Therefore, there is potential for the fill material to contain contaminants. While the causeway remains undisturbed, there is minimal risk of environmental harm, however, if the causeway is to be removed or disturbed, further investigation into the nature of the material and potential for contaminants would need to be undertaken.
The disturbance of the soil in the study area as part of the future potential development of the bridge, causeway and section of the Princess Highway may cause soil instability and erosion on the unconsolidated Quaternary sediments. Sediment management during any construction will have to be put in place in the forms of booms and other trapping infrastructure. The immediate water quality within these areas would deteriorate with the increase of sediment loads from the causeway removal if appropriate management measures are not employed. The inlet from the lake is generally open to the Pacific Ocean but can be closed for long periods but generally water quality of the lake is good.
The potential for ASS is low; however, localised deposits could be present within the study area. If any excavation is conducted within the study area, ASS management practices would need to be implemented. Should ASS be discovered in the area it should be considered in the design and managed during construction works.
Delineation of the identified soil and groundwater contamination in the vicinity of the former service station. Any excavated soil may need to undergo further sampling and waste classification prior to removal or reuse. Dewatering during excavations in this area may also require sampling and classification. It is recommended a contamination assessment should be carried out prior to the construction to understand the level and extent of the impact. This will allow any mitigation and or remediation of the contamination that might be required.
Historical land-use searches did not indicate any significant activities that were likely to have caused contamination. However, there is still a potential that contaminates are still present. As a precaution, water quality sampling should be undertaken in conjunction with any groundwater investigations, including de-watering.
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6.2 Hydrogeological Constraints The following hydrogeological constraints should be considered in the design and management of the development:
Hydrogeological conditions may change if the current bridge and causeway are to be redeveloped. If the bridge and causeway are to be completely removed and a new structure built, geotechnical investigations would need to be carried out on the subsurface conditions in the area where the new bridge is likely to be built.
The shallow Quaternary groundwater system is considered to be a potentially sensitive resource that is used for municipal and domestic purposes and has the potential to be impacted by saltwater intrusion (associated with excessive drawdown). If the works are to include dewatering of the aquifer system additional investigations should be completed to assess the potential impacts on surrounding groundwater users and on the Quaternary aquifer resource. Any potentially adverse impacts identified should be managed, mitigated and monitored appropriately.
Should a new bridge be proposed, the structure and the style of new foundations may change the surface, groundwater and tidal flow regime of the area which could result in undesirable impacts such as flooding or erosion.
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7. Conclusions
Based on the results of the scope of works presented in Section 1.3 of this report, and in accordance with the limitations presented in Section 8 of this report, the following conclusions are made:
Based on historical information collated during this assessment, there have not been any major changes or developments in the study area since 1950. Commercial and residential buildings have only increased in areas already developed.
The study area currently consists of various land uses including the Princes Highway and local roads, commercial and residential buildings (including holiday units and caravan parks) and open parkland.
The study area is located in an area of moderate environmental sensitivity, as the study area setting has identified the following key receptors: x Burrill Lake as a sensitive coastal water body draining into the Pacific Ocean approximately 500 metres down gradient of the study area; x Commercial and residential land users within the study area along with recreational users of the parkland and waterway; x The study area is likely underlain by unconfined aquifers present within the Quaternary sediments; and x There are seven licenced potable groundwater abstraction boreholes within the radius of the study area.
A former service station is present to the immediate east of the site. A previous investigation identified impacts to the soil and groundwater extending under the Princes Highway in this area. The current status of the area is not known. Should the area be disturbed as part of the development works, it is recommended that prior to construction; further soil classification should be undertaken along with groundwater assessments if dewatering is required. This will allow any mitigation and or remediation of the contamination that may be required.
Based on the historical uses and the findings presented in this report of the study area there is the potential for contaminants to be present within the causeway fill and any other fill material in the area and there is currently little or no potential for a source-pathway-receptor linkage being present. However, during the proposed maintenance or replacement activities, some of the potential source- pathway-receptor linkages may be activated. An example of this would be the removal asbestos containing pipes of the bridge (if these were completed in an uncontrolled manner) and/or causeway sediments/fill being disturbed resulting in mobilisation of potential contaminants. GHD conclude that based on the continued use of the study area at the current land uses, the study area generally represents a low contamination risk. However, potential constraints to the development in the area do exist. Further assessments to minimise/manage these potential constraints include:
Understand the piling/footing options to establish and undertake a piling/groundwater effects assessment;
If the sediment/fill contaminant within the causeway are likely to be disturbed, characterise the materials (for contamination and ASS) and produce management plans during construction works;
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Removal of asbestos pipe by class B (bonded) asbestos license contractor, to prevent any risk of contamination migration; and
Assess the actual potential risk for ASS to verify if management measures are required during construction.
Additional investigations should be completed to assess the quality of groundwater and the potential impacts on surrounding groundwater users and on the Quaternary aquifer resource; if the works are to intersect groundwater. Dewatering of the aquifer system may be required during construction activities.
At the former service station property, if construction activities are to occur in this area, an assessment of soil and groundwater impacts, presence / absence of underground infrastructure, and potential remedial works are required prior to undertaking construction activities.
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8. References
Aurecon, Strategic Concept and Options Study Burrill Lake Bridge, December 2010. BMT WBM Pty Ltd, Burrill Lake Catchment Flood Study, July 2007. Department of Lands Spatial Information Exchange Website (http://imagery.maps.nsw.gov.au/#). NSW Natural Resource Atlas (NRA) website portal, http://nratlas.nsw.gov.au/. RMS, Burrill Lake Bridge – Environmental Investigations Brief; March 2012. Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), The ‘Guidelines for the Management of Acid Sulfate Materials: Acid Sulfate Soils, Acid Sulfate Rock and Monosulfidic Black Ooze’ 2005. Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), Environmental Planning and Assessment. Preliminary Environmental Investigations: Burrill Lake Bridge, December 2010. Shoalhaven City Council, Burrill Lake Estuary and Catchment Management Plan, December 2002. The Land and Water Conservation Map, Tabourie Edition 2, 1997. The Sydney 1:250,000 Geological Series Sheet Ulladulla (Sheet 1 56-13) published in 1974. Weight and Sonderegger, Manual of Applied Field Hydrogeology. Published in 2000. HLA Envirosciences, Detailed Site Investigation Lots 212 to 215 DP 15648 Burrill Lake, NSW (Draft Report), May 2002.
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9. Limitations
This Phase I Environmental Assessment (“Report”):
1. has been prepared by GHD Pty Limited (“GHD”) for Roads and Maritime Services (RMS);
2. may only be used and relied on by RMS;
3. must not be copied to, used by, or relied on by any person other than RMS without the prior written consent of GHD and subject always to the next paragraph; and
4. may only be used for the purpose as stated in Section 1.2 of the Report (and must not be used for any other purpose). GHD and its servants, employees and officers otherwise expressly disclaim responsibility to any person other than RMS arising from or in connection with this Report. To the maximum extent permitted by law, all implied warranties and conditions in relation to the services provided by GHD and the Report are excluded unless they are expressly stated to apply in this Report. The services undertaken by GHD in connection with preparing this Report: x were limited to those specifically detailed in section 1.3 of this Report and GHD proposal dated 23 March 2012 document number 21/0912245/120312; and x were undertaken in accordance with current profession practice and by reference to relevant environmental regulatory authority and industry standards, guidelines and assessment criteria in existence as at the date of this Report. The opinions, conclusions and any recommendations in this Report are based on assumptions made by GHD when undertaking the services mentioned above and preparing the Report (“Assumptions”), as specified throughout this Report. GHD expressly disclaims responsibility for any error in, or omission from, this Report arising from or in connection with any of the Assumptions being incorrect. Subject to the paragraphs in this section of the Report, the opinions, conclusions and any recommendations in this Report are based on conditions encountered and information reviewed at the time of preparation of this Report and are relevant until such times as the study area conditions or relevant legislations changes, at which time, GHD expressly disclaims responsibility for any error in, or omission from, this Report arising from or in connection with those opinions, conclusions and any recommendations.” GHD has prepared this Report on the basis of information provided by RMS and others who provided information to GHD (including Government authorities), which GHD has not independently verified or checked (“Unverified Information”) beyond the agreed scope of work. GHD expressly disclaims responsibility in connection with the Unverified Information, including (but not limited to) errors in, or omissions from, the Report, which were caused or contributed to by errors in, or omissions from, the Unverified Information.” Except as otherwise expressly stated in this Report GHD makes no warranty or representation as to the presence or otherwise of asbestos and/or asbestos containing materials (“ACM”) on the study area. If fill
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material has been imported on to the study area at any time, or if any buildings constructed prior to 1980 have been demolished on the study area or material from such buildings disposed of on the study area, the study area may contain asbestos or ACM. Subsurface conditions can vary across a particular site and cannot be exhaustively defined by the investigations carried out prior to this Report. As a result, it is unlikely that the results and estimations expressed or used to compile this Report will represent conditions at any location other than the specific points of sampling. A site that appears to be unaffected by contamination at the time of the Report may later, due to natural causes or human intervention, become contaminated. Except as otherwise expressly stated in this Report, GHD makes no warranty, statement or representation of any kind concerning the suitability of the study area for any purpose or the permissibility of any use, development or re-development of the study area. These Disclaimers should be read in conjunction with the entire Report and no excerpts are taken to be representative of the findings of this Report.
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Appendix A Figures
21/21478/180126 Burrill Lake Bridge, Princes Highway Contamination and Hydrogeology Desk Study LAKE CONJOLA WEST CUNJURONG LAKE CONJOLA
MILTON B L
ULLADULLA KINGS POINT BURRILL LAKE
Site Location
LAKE TABOURIE
Locality Map BAWLEY POINT