Preliminary Site Investigation

Preliminary Site Investigation Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC Prepared for: Great Southern Waste Technologies Reference No: 30041688 26 June 2018

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File Location Name: I:\Projects\30041688\03 Outputs\Reports\1 Draft\Contaminated Land Assessment Project Name: Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy EPA Works Approval Application

Project Number: 30041688

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Revision History Revision # Date Prepared by Reviewed by Approved for Issue by

0 26-06-18 Philippa Solly Jonathan Cull Julian Howard

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Great Southern Waste Technologies 26/06/2018 1 SMEC Project File 26/06/2018 1 SMEC Company Details Lukas McVey

Level 10, 71 Queens Road, Melbourne VIC 3004 Tel: +61 3 9869 0914 Fax: +61 3 9514 1502 Email: [email protected] Website: www.smec.com The information within this document is and shall remain the property of: Great Southern Waste Technologies

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia

This report is confidential and is provided solely for the purposes of EPA Works Approval Application. This report is provided pursuant to a Consultancy Agreement between SMEC Australia Pty Limited (“SMEC”) and Great Southern Waste Technologies (“GSWT”) under which SMEC undertook to perform a specific and limited task for GSWT. This report is strictly limited to the matters stated in it and subject to the various assumptions, qualifications and limitations in it and does not apply by implication to other matters. SMEC makes no representation that the scope, assumptions, qualifications and exclusions set out in this report will be suitable or sufficient for other purposes nor that the content of the report covers all matters which you may regard as material for your purposes. This report must be read as a whole. The executive summary is not a substitute for this. Any subsequent report must be read in conjunction with this report. The report supersedes all previous draft or interim reports, whether written or presented orally, before the date of this report. This report has not and will not be updated for events or transactions occurring after the date of the report or any other matters which might have a material effect on its contents or which come to light after the date of the report. SMEC is not obliged to inform you of any such event, transaction or matter nor to update the report for anything that occurs, or of which SMEC becomes aware, after the date of this report. Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, SMEC does not accept a duty of care or any other legal responsibility whatsoever in relation to this report, or any related enquiries, advice or other work, nor does SMEC make any representation in connection with this report, to any person other than GSWT. Any other person who receives a draft or a copy of this report (or any part of it) or discusses it (or any part of it) or any related matter with SMEC, does so on the basis that he or she acknowledges and accepts that he or she may not rely on this report nor on any related information or advice given by SMEC for any purpose whatsoever.

Executive Summary ...... i 1. Introduction ...... 1 Objectives ...... 1 Scope of Work ...... 1 2. Site Identification ...... 3 General Information ...... 3 Site Description ...... 3 2.4.1. Eastern component – blasting and painting business ...... 4 2.4.2. Western component – landscaping business ...... 5 2.4.3. Surrounding Land Uses ...... 5 Geology and Hydrogeology...... 6 2.5.1. Geology 6 2.5.2. Hydrogeology ...... 7 Acid Sulfate Soil Risk ...... 8 3. Site History ...... 9 Title Search ...... 9 Site History ...... 9 EPA Priority Sites Register ...... 10 Environmental Audit Reports ...... 10 4. Potential Contaminants ...... 11 Potentially Contaminating Activities ...... 11 Potential Contaminants of Concern ...... 11 5. Soil Assessment Criteria ...... 13 State Environmental Protection Policy ...... 13 6. Conceptual Site Model ...... 14 7. Conclusions and Recommendations ...... 16 Conclusions ...... 16 Recommendations ...... 17 8. References ...... 18

Table of Figures

Figure 1: Site Location ...... 1 Figure 2: Delineation of Site ...... 4 Figure 3: Geological Survey of Victoria, Cranbourne Map Sheet (1:63,360) ...... 6 Figure 4: Groundwater Bore Locations (Source: Visualising Victoria’s Groundwater) ...... 7 Figure 5: Acid Sulfate Soil Mapping (Source: ASRIS, 2018) ...... 8

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia List of Tables

Table 1: Site Details ...... 3 Table 2: Summary of groundwater bores ...... 7 Table 3: Historical Proprietorship ...... 9 Table 4: Protected Beneficial Uses of Land (Land SEPP, 2002) ...... 13 Table 5: Conceptual Site Model ...... 15

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia

Appendices

Figures Site Photographs Title and Historical Title Search Historical Aerial Photographs Priority Sites Register

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia

Executive Summary

SMEC Australia Pty Ltd (SMEC) was engaged by Great Southern Waste Technologies (GSWT), to conduct the planning and approvals for the Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Project to be located at 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South, Victoria (the Site). As part of the delivery of this project a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) of the Site has been conducted. The objective of the PSI was to assess the potential for contamination at the Site. Through the PSI, the following conclusions have been made pertaining to the Site: • Site history, historical titles and aerial photography search show that since between approximately 1968 and 1977 the Site has been utilised for industrial and commercial purposes including blasting and painting and automotive sales and servicing. Prior to this the Site was cleared and assumed to be used for agricultural purposes; • During the Site Inspection two businesses were identified to be occupying the Site, a landscaping business and a blasting and painting business; • The Site is immediately surrounded by grassed areas to the north and west. Beyond this are various commercial and industrial sites including waste facilities; • Nearby surface water receptors include Dandenong Creek (160m to the west of the site) which discharges to Port Philip Bay approximately 8 kilometres to the south west of the site; • Searches of ASRIS mapping identified the site be in an area of high probability of occurrence of acid sulfate soils; • A search of the Water Measurement Information System (DELWP, 2016) found 285 registered groundwater bores within 2km of the Site, of which eleven bores were recorded as being registered for stock and domestic use. • During the site inspection, poor housekeeping was evident with the following sources of contamination identified:

o Blasting residue; o An above ground diesel storage tank that showed signs of leakage; and o Unbunded storage of paints and solvents and a range of chemical used for painting and rust proofing. • The potential contaminants of concern associated with the current and historical site use may include;

o Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) o Semi Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC) o Total Recoverable Hydrocarbons (TRHs) o Heavy Metals o Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) o Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) o Dioxins o Asbestos • Due to the historical industrial use of the site and the site being owned by five different entities, there is the potential for additional activities to have occurred at the site which have

Report for Preliminary Site Investigation | Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia | Page i

not been recorded and pose a contamination risk, including unidentified underground storage tanks etc. Based on the findings of the PSI, SMEC makes the following recommendations: • Conduct a scan of the site with Ground Penetrating Radar to ensure all underground infrastructure is identified and potential underground sources of contamination (Underground Storage Tanks etc.) are identified prior to commencing earthworks at the site; • Conduct soil sampling and analysis for Acid Sulfate Soil as the probability of occurrence of Acid Sulfate Soil was mapped as being ‘High’; and • A NEPM compliant Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) should be conducted to further examine potential contaminants of concern and ensure the protection of the site beneficial uses. If soil contamination is found to exist and is not able to be delineated, an investigation of groundwater contamination should be included within the DSI. The findings of the DSI will be used to determine is soil contamination is at an acceptable level for the proposed site use and if not would provide recommendations for necessary further investigation or remediation to take the necessary measures to manage potential contamination risks.

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia

1. Introduction

SMEC Australia Pty Ltd (SMEC) was engaged by Great Southern Waste Technologies (GSWT) to conduct the planning and approvals for the Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Project (the Project) to be located at 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South, Victoria (the Site). As part of the Project a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) of the Site has been conducted. The site location is presented in Figure 1. The PSI will support the EPA Works Approval application. The purpose of the PSI is to assess the potential for land contamination resulting from previous land uses and to determine if further detailed contamination investigation is required. It is understood that the Site has historically been used for industrial purposes, specifically blasting and painting. A factory, open air storage bays and a carpark are located on the Site to facilitate these activities.

Figure 1: Site Location

Objectives The objectives of this assessment were to: • Identify historical potential contaminating activities (if any) occurring within the site; • Determine if the contaminating activities could result in soil contamination; and • Make conclusions and recommendations if further intrusive investigations are required. SMEC prepared this report for the purpose set out above and for the exclusive use by GSWT as a client of SMEC. GSWT may rely on the information contained in this report subject to the detailed limitations.

Scope of Work The scope of PSI includes the following tasks:

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia | Page 1

• A review of historical aerial photographs for the site to assist in establishing the physical patterns of development over time. • A review of historical titles for the Site to identify the potential for contamination associated with current and former land uses. • Review and summary of EPA records including the ‘Priority Sites Registry’ and the list of issued ‘Certificates and Statements of Environmental Audit’ to identify potential off-site sources of contamination. • Review of EPA Victoria Groundwater Quality Restricted Use Zone (GQRUZ) map for the site and surrounding properties. • A review of geological maps to provide background information relating to soil types and geology. • A site inspection, including o Documenting and photographing site features; in particular potential sources of contamination and signs of contamination. o Developing an understanding of the current site use and access in the event that additional work (such as an intrusive investigation) is required. • Provision of a PSI report summarising the works undertaken, including:

o Objectives of the assessment o Summary of site history o Factual presentation of information acquired from the above sources o Development of a preliminary Conceptual Site Model to identify potential Sources of Contamination, Exposure Pathways and Receptors

o Recommendations in relation to the proposed future use of the site and requirements for further site investigation from a Contaminated Land perspective

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2. Site Identification

General Information Site identification and general site setting are summarised below. Table 1: Site Details

Site name: 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC

Total site area: 12,521m2

Lot Plan: TP205351Q, Lot 1

Current owner: Palmwood Investments Pty Ltd

Current zoning: Industrial 2 Zone (IN2Z)

Current site use: Industrial – Blasting and Painting

Proposed site use: Industrial – Waste-to-Energy Plant

Previous known environmental None investigations/reports:

Surrounding land use and North – Vacant land adjacent to the north, further to the north zoning: industrial land including a liquid waste handling and treatment facility South – Unknown industrial land use East – Ordish Road, further to the east industrial land use including liquid waste collection and treatment West – Vacant brownfield land, further to the west Eastlink motorway and Dandenong Creek

Site Description The site is located in an industrial area between EastLink motorway (to the west), Greens Road (to the north) and the Dandenong Valley Highway (to the east). Dandenong Creek, extending in a north- south direction is located approximately 160m to the west of the property boundary. Dandenong Creek is the major waterway in the Dandenong catchment, flowing about 53km south from Mount Dandenong into Patterson River and then discharging to Port Phillip Bay (Melbourne Water, 2009). Dandenong Creek is highly disturbed and water quality in the Creek is poor in the region near the Site, however, a recent program designed by EPA Victoria and Melbourne Water has led to an increased focus on pollution prevention and improving the natural amenity of the Creek. The topography of the Site was relatively flat a slight fall to the west, towards Dandenong Creek.

Current and Future Land Uses There are currently two businesses operating on the Site. The eastern half of the Site is occupied by a blasting and painting business and the western part a landscaping and gardening business. The land

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directly to the north and west is vacant, it was unclear if the vacant land to the north and west was part of 70 Ordish Road and as a result a site walkover of this area was also conducted at the time of the site inspection, see Figure 2. At a later date, it was confirmed the site was limited to the blue and red area shown on Figure 2. There are industrial and commercial businesses within 2km of the Site as well as EastLink motorway, Dandenong Creek and Dandenong Creek Trail.

Figure 2: Delineation of Site

Site Inspection A site inspection was conducted on 3 April 2018. The following features were noted during the field activities regarding each section of the Site. Appendix A shows the key features of the site and items that have potential to cause contamination.

2.4.1. Eastern component – blasting and painting business • A carpark with a concrete surface was located at the entrance to the Site; • A corrugated iron factory with concrete flooring was located in the centre of this component of the Site; • A small office was connected to the factory. Which appeared to be made of weather board, however, additional testing should be conducted to ensure the building does not contain asbestos; • The areas surrounding the factory and the road appeared to be surfaced with crushed rock; • There was no evidence of water treatment on Site indicating all surface water runoff was discharging directly to stormwater;

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia | Page 4

• Blasting residue (light red in colour) covered a significant portion of the Site (approximately 20%). A potential source of metal contamination; • One diesel above ground storage tank was in use. Signs of spills were present including soil staining on the ground approximately 1m in diameter; • Paint and solvent tins were stored on site. No bunding was observed; • Additional chemical containers and oil drums were located on site these were also stored without bunding; • The Site showed minimal signs of housekeeping. Waste and rubble including wood, steel, old cars and other materials were present across the Site.

2.4.2. Western component – landscaping business • Storage bays were located along southern and central part of this component of the Site. The bays contain gravel, rock, stones and organic mulch; • Organic material including tree debris were located in the western component of the Site. None of the material appeared to be treated wood. This debris was being processed into mulch on site; • Fuel drums and chemicals were located on the eastern boundary of this portion of the Site. No bunding was present; • Wide spread staining, likely to be associated with an oil spill was located on the eastern boundary of this component of the Site; • A mulching machine and associated fuel tank was also located on the eastern boundary of this portion of the Site.

2.4.3. Surrounding Land Uses

Adjacent lot to the North and West • The adjacent land to the north and west was grassed except for a section near the entrance which was surfaced with crushed rock. There did not appear to be any significant activities occurring on this site at the time of the site inspection. Vegetation was located near the southern and western boundaries; • There were three portable buildings that appear to be being utilised as offices; • Uncontrolled fill material was stockpiled along the southern boundary of the area. It contained predominantly soil in addition to rocks, bricks, concrete and other uncontrolled building waste.; • Open air storage bays were located on the north-western part of this lot. They did not appear to be in use; • A groundwater monitoring well was located near the centre of the neighbouring site. Historical titles show that automotive sales and servicing may have occurred on the site to the north of the site in the past, however, there was no evidence of this during the Site Inspection.

General Surrounding Land Uses The site was surrounded by industrial businesses to the north, south and east, and Dandenong Creek and Eastlink to the west. Business types surrounding the Site include waste facilities, recycling

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facilities and automotive services. Dandong Creek Trail was approximately 150m to the west of the property boundary and is utilised by the public for transport and recreational activities. The adjacent site to the north of the Site beyond the vacant land was a waste treatment facility. The facility accepts clinical waste, pharmaceutical waste, biosecurity waste, security waste, regulated and prescribed industrial waste and commercial and industrial waste. There were storage bays outside the Site’s fence line that appeared to be unmaintained and were filled with water. The adjacent site to the south was also a waste facility. The office for this Site was adjacent to the fence line of the blasting and painting site. Further information regarding operations at this site could not be obtained via internet or via observation of Site due to poor access.

Geology and Hydrogeology

2.5.1. Geology The Geological Survey of Victoria Map Sheet, Cranbourne 1: 63,360 Scale Zone 7, 1967 and the exploration notes (Geological Survey of Victoria, GSV) (as presented in Figure 3) indicated that the Site was underlain by peaty clay and clay, mainly composing of swamp deposits. In addition to areas underlain by peaty clay, within 2km of the Site, there were also areas underlain by Baxter Sandstone.

Site Location

Figure 3: Geological Survey of Victoria, Cranbourne Map Sheet (1:63,360) Publicly available data from two groundwater bores, located 157m and 194m to the east of the Site, indicate the following soil profile: • 0 to 0.7 m: Fill clay sand and gravel • 0.7 to 1.4 m: Silty sand • to 6 m: Silty clay

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2.5.2. Hydrogeology A search of the Water Measurement Information System (DELWP, 2016) found 285 registered groundwater bores within 2km of the Site. The groundwater bore locations can be found in Figure 4. A summary the of groundwater bores and their uses is given in Table 2. Table 2: Summary of groundwater bores

Row Labels Count of Bore ID Domestic 1 Domestic and stock 8 Groundwater investigation 46 Industrial 2 Non-groundwater 221 Observation 7 Grand Total 285 A review of the Visualising Victoria’s Groundwater database revealed that the regional depth to the groundwater table is less than 5 meters below the surface across the whole site. The database search also indicates that groundwater salinity is likely to be between 3,500 and 7,000 mg/L across the site (VVG 2016).

Figure 4: Groundwater Bore Locations (Source: Visualising Victoria’s Groundwater) A review of the EPA Victoria map of Groundwater Quality Restricted Use Zones (GQRUZ) in Victoria identified three sites to the north of the site where a GQRUZ applied. These sites included: • The Former Dandenong Treatment Plant, Union Rd Dandenong South; • 2-6 Bend Road, Keysborough; and • 16 – 22 Bend Road, Keysborough. No GQRUZ applied to the site.

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A review of Hydrogeological Maps of Australia shows the following aquifers within a 500m radius of the site: • Porous, extensive highly productive aquifers • Fractured or fissured, extensive aquifers of low to moderate productivity Bores within 2km of the Site range from 0.9 to 50m in depth. Groundwater flow is assumed to be in a westerly direction towards Port Phillip Bay, based on regional topography.

Acid Sulfate Soil Risk A search of the Australian Soil Resource Information System (ASRIS) database was conducted on 23 March 2018. This database provides online access to a significant volume of publicly available information on soil and land resources from across Australia, including an ‘Atlas of Acid Sulfate Soils’ as compiled by the CSIRO. Acid sulfate soils may pose a risk to the environment when disturbed and exposed to oxygen, leading to oxidation of the soil and subsequent generation of sulfuric acid. A search of the ASRIS database identified the site to have an ‘High Probability’ of occurrence of acid sulfate soil (ASRIS, 2018) and is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Acid Sulfate Soil Mapping (Source: ASRIS, 2018)

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3. Site History

Title Search A search of the current and historic certificates of title was conducted for the Sites. The historical title search confirmed the site has changed ownership on five occasions since 1982 and appears to have been own by a number of companies who were assumed to have operated a variety of industrial business on the site. As the site has been used for a variety of industrial activities it is not possible to confirm a particular source of contamination over this period. However, it is likely land activities resulting in land contamination have been present. The site titles and historical title documents are attached as Appendix C. A summary of historical proprietorship is presented below in Table 3. Table 3: Historical Proprietorship Date of Property Lot/Plan Proprietor Address Acquisition 14/12/2017 Palmwood Investments Pty Ltd 11/11/1999 Schweitzer Investments Pty Ltd 06/05/1992 Stego Securities Pty Ltd 70 Ordish Road Equal shares: Lot 1 Stego Securities Pty Ltd and Dandenong TP205351Q 12/07/1989 South Matraville Spare Parts and Car Sales Pty Ltd Similar or Equal Approved Products 26/02/1987 Pty Ltd 16/07/1982 Waltop Pty Ltd

Site History A review of the site history has been prepared by SMEC using aerial photographs, covering a period between 1968 and 2018. The aerial photographs are presented in Appendix D. A summary of this review is as follows: • A fence was installed on the eastern boundary of the site prior to 1968; • The Site was cleared for what is assumed to be agricultural activities prior to 1968; • The Site began to be utilised for industrial purposes between 1968 and 1977, lots to the north and south of the Site also began being used for industrial purposes during this period. Infrastructure built on Site during this period includes factories and plant; • A substantial water treatment plant was built approximately 200m to the north of the Site between 1968 and 1977; • The Site continued to be used for industrial purposes from 1977 to 1989; • The water treatment plant was decommissioned between 1989 and 2009; • A factory was built on the Site between 1989 and 2009 and remains at present; • A carpark was built on the eastern side of the Site in 2010 and remains at present; • Open air storage bays were built on the Site in 2016 and remain at present; • There are no visible changes to the Site from 2016 to 2018.

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia | Page 9

EPA Priority Sites Register A search of the Victorian EPA Priority Sites Register was conducted. The Priority Sites Register records locations where the EPA has issued a Clean-up Notice or Pollution Abatement Notice for a site typically known to contain polluted soil and/or groundwater that may pose a risk to human health or to the environment. The Priority Sites Register does not list all sites known to be contaminated in Victoria and as such a site should not be presumed to be free of contamination if it does not appear on the Priority Sites Register. An extract of the EPA Priority Site Register, reviewed on 20 March 2018 showed that the site is not listed as EPA Priority Sites. The Priority Site Register is included in Appendix E.

Environmental Audit Reports Environmental Audit reports are statutory documents that are issued by the EPA as per the Environment Protection Act 1970 after a statutory environmental audit of a property has been conducted. The purpose of an Environmental Audit is to assess the nature and extent of contamination, or potential risk to the beneficial uses, to the environment associated with activities on the land. Environmental Audits provide independent and transparent assessments of the types of contamination and outlines the harm it poses. Additionally, they advise what actions are required to make a site suitable for ongoing use. A review of the EPA list of Environmental Audits was conducted, however no sites within a 500-metre radius of the Site were identified.

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia | Page 10

4. Potential Contaminants

Potentially Contaminating Activities A site history review showed potential for contaminating activities at the Site. Current site activities with a potential to contaminate included blasting, painting, automotive services, storage of petroleum (diesel), storage of solvents and chemicals and paints. Abrasive blasting is conducted to clean surfaces such as steel, bricks, cement and concrete, usually to remove scale, rust and old paint. The process may involve a stream of abrasive material being propelled by compressed air, water, steam, centrifugal wheels or paddles against the surface. Abrasive materials used include sand, copper slag, metal grit, aluminium oxide, plastic beads, zinc slag, sodium bicarbonate, metal shot, nickel slag or garnet. During the Site Inspection, it was observed that significant amounts of blasting residue was located around the boundary of site buildings. Minimal treatment or control of residue was identified. Industrial painting was also observed at the site including painting of steel. Significant amounts of paints and solvents were being stored on site without the presence of chemical bunds. Historical land activities are understood to have included automotive sales and servicing. These land activities are likely to have involved the use of hydrocarbons, coolants, metals and solvents. During the Site inspection, the following potential sources of contamination were identified: • Blasting residue covering the surface of the Site which is likely to contain metals and other chemicals; • Litter across the Site including general waste, steel and chemicals without bunding; • Above ground diesel storage tank showing signs of spills was located near the blasting and painting factory; • Chemical storage containers including, fuel drums, paint and solvent tins were located on the Site without bunding; • A large black spill (likely to be oil) was located on the wall within the component of the Site occupied by the landscaping business. Full overview of observations from the Site Inspection can be found in Section 2.3.1.

Potential Contaminants of Concern Based on historical site uses and observation of current site condition during the site inspection, the following potential contaminants of concern have been identified: • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) • Semi Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC) • Total Recoverable Hydrocarbons (TRHs) • Heavy Metals • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) • Dioxins • Asbestos

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As the property title has been transferred on five occasions since 1982, there is the potential for other industrial activities to have resulted in contamination of the site from unknown sources. It is recommended a broader suite of contaminants be considered due to the uncertainty associated with past site use. Other contaminants which should also be investigated may include fire retardants, rust treatment compounds and pesticides.

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5. Soil Assessment Criteria

State Environmental Protection Policy The legal framework for the protection and management of Victoria’s land environment is provided in the State Environment Protection Policy (Prevention and Management of Contamination of Land) (Land SEPP, 2002). The SEPP (Land) identifies beneficial uses of land to be protected and provides indicators and objectives for the protection of beneficial uses of land. The SEPP (Land) endorses the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Contamination) Measure (NEPM) 1999, Amendment (NEPM 2013), as the key guidance document in contamination assessment and the use of the NEPM ecological and human health investigation levels as the key objectives for the protection of the beneficial uses of land. Based on the proposed future use of the site as a waste to energy industrial facility, the relevant land use settings in accordance with the SEPP (Land) (2002), is ‘Industrial’. The protected beneficial uses of land described in the SEPP (Land) are shaded in Table 4 and would require to be protected. Table 4: Protected Beneficial Uses of Land (Land SEPP, 2002) Land Use

Sensitive use Recreation Beneficial Use Parks & Agricu Commer- High /Open Industrial Reserves -ltural Other cial Density Space Maintenance of

Ecosystems

Natural  Ecosystems

Modified     Ecosystem

Highly Modified       Ecosystem

Human Health       

Buildings &        Structures

Aesthetics     

Production of food, flora and    fibre

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6. Conceptual Site Model

The Conceptual Site Model (CSM) presents site specific information regarding contamination sources, receptors and exposure pathways between likely sources and the proposed future site use as an industrial waste to energy facility. The CSM has been prepared assuming soils will be contained under a concrete paved surface once the site has been redeveloped.

POTENTIAL SOURCE POTENTIAL RECEPTOR POTENTIAL PATHWAY IS PATHWAY POTENTIALLY COMPLETE

Vapour Inhalation Yes – investigation of TRHs, VOC and SVOC required

• Site Occupants -No - all soils are proposed to be contained below a hard stand area to prevent exposure to site occupants via ingestion, dermal contact or inhalation. • Site Construction Workers – Yes – a potential exposure pathway exists to Site Occupants site workers for any soil disturbance activities. Intrusive investigation of Site Construction Workers metals, PAHs, PBCs, dioxins and asbestos is required. If found to be Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Ingestion of Soil Neighbouring Site Occupants present further management will be required and likely to include Semi Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC) Dermal Contact management under a Construction Environmental Management Plan Total Recoverable Hydrocarbons (TRHs) Inhalation of Dust (CEMP). Heavy Metals • Neighbouring Site Occupants – Yes – a potential exposure pathway exists Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) to neighbouring site occupants during the construction phase at the site and associated soil disturbance activities. Intrusive investigation of metals, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) PAHs, PBCs, dioxins and asbestos is required. If found to be present Dioxins further management will be required and likely to include management Asbestos under a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). contaminated soil No – all soils are proposed to be contained below a hard stand area. This will Impact to surface prevent the risk of contamination of surface water and associated ecological water receptors. The risk of surface water contamination during construction will require to be managed via a Construction Environmental Management Plan. Onsite ecological receptors Offsite ecological receptors Yes – soil contamination and associated groundwater has not been investigated. Based on the potential for soil contamination. Delineation of soil Impact to ground contamination is required to confirm groundwater has not been contaminated. water If the extent of soil contamination is not delineated vertically or horizontally groundwater contamination investigation should be conducted.

Conclusions Through the Preliminary Site Investigation, the following conclusions have been made pertaining to the Site: • Site history, historical titles and aerial photography search show that since between approximately 1968 and 1977 the Site has been utilised for industrial and commercial purposes including blasting and painting and automotive sales and servicing. Prior to this the Site was cleared and assumed to be used for agricultural purposes; • During the Site Inspection, no signs of automotive activities were observed, however, two businesses were identified to be occupying the Site, a landscaping business and a blasting and painting business; • The Site is immediately surrounded by grassed areas to the north and west. Beyond this are various commercial and industrial sites including waste facilities, recycling facilities and automotive services. Eastlink motorway lies to the west of the Site, Greens Road to the north and Ordish Road to the east; • Nearby surface water receptors include Dandenong Creek (160m to the west of the site) which discharges to Port Philip Bay approximately 8 kilometres to the south west of the site; • Searches of ASRIS mapping identified the site be in an area of high probability of occurrence of acid sulfate soils; • A search of the Water Measurement Information System (DELWP, 2016) found 285 registered groundwater bores within 2km of the Site, of which eleven bores were recorded as being used for stock and domestic use. • During the Site Inspection, the following observations were made:

o Blasting residue was present across the site and likely to contain metals and other chemicals;

o The Site showed minimal signs of housekeeping including general waste, steel and chemical storage without bunding;

o There was an above ground diesel storage tank located near the blasting and painting factory that showed signs of leakage;

o There were no signs of surface water treatment onsite with surface water runoff discharging to stormwater;

o There was a groundwater monitoring well located on the adjacent, vacant block approximately 50m to the west of the site boundary. • The potential contaminants of concern associated with the current and historical site use may include;

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia | Page 16 o Dioxins o Asbestos • Due to the historical industrial use of the site and the site being owned by five different entities there is the potential for additional activities to have occurred at the site which have not been recorded and pose a contamination risk, including unidentified underground storage tanks etc.

Recommendations Based on the findings of the PSI, SMEC makes the following recommendations: • Conduct a scan of the site with Ground Penetrating Radar to ensure all underground infrastructure is identified and potential underground sources of contamination (Underground Storage Tanks etc.) are identified prior to commencing earthworks at the site; • Conduct soil sampling and analysis for Acid Sulfate Soil as the probability of occurrence of Acid Sulfate Soil was mapped as being ‘High’; and • A NEPM compliant Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) should be conducted to further examine potential contaminants of concern and ensure the protection of the site beneficial uses. If soil contamination is found to exist and is not able to be delineated an investigation of groundwater contamination should be included within the DSI. The findings of the DSI will be used to determine is soil contamination is at an acceptable level for the proposed site use and if not would provide recommendations for necessary further investigation or remediation to take the necessary measures to manage potential contamination risks.

ASIRS (2014) Australian Soil Resource Information System, CSIRO Land and Water, Available from: http://www.asris.csiro.au/index.html [April 2018] AWD (2013) Ramsar Wetlands of Australia, Environmental Resources Information Network, Australian Government, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Available from: https://www.environment.gov.au [April 2018] EPA (2000) A Guide to the Sampling and Analysis of Waters, Wastewaters, Soils and Wastes, EPA Publication 441, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, 2000. GSV (2015) Energy and Earth Resources, State Government of Victoria, Available from: http://earthresources.efirst.com.au/ [April 2018] Landata (2016) LANDATA, State Government of Victoria, Available from: https://www.landata.vic.gov.au/ [April 2018] NEPC (1999) National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999, National Environment Protection Council, 1999, amended 2013. Property Reports (2016) Planning Property Reports, State Government of Victoria, Available from: http://www.land.vic.gov.au/ [April 2018] SEPP (Land) (2002) State Environment Protection Policy - Prevention and Management of Contaminated Land Victoria Government Gazette No. S 95, 4 June 2002. VVG (2016) Visualising Victoria’s Groundwater, State Government of Victoria, Available from: http://www.vvg.org.au/ [April 2018]

Report for Dandenong South Waste-to-Energy Facility, 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong South VIC | Preliminary Site Investigation | Great Southern Waste Technologies | 30041688 SMEC Australia Project: Dandenong South Waste-to- Location: 70 Ordish Road, Dandenong Client: Great Southern Waste Legend Energy EPA Works Approval South, 3175 Technologies Site Boundary

Figure 1: Site Location Plan Date: 22/06/2018 Project Number: 30041688 Note: Aerial imagery sourced from Nearmaps 0 355 710 m

Site Photographs

Photograph 1: View at entrance to adjacent lot

Photograph 2: Groundwater monitoring well on adjacent block

Photograph 3: Stormwater drain leading to Dandenong Creek (150m from Site boundary)

Photograph 4: Empty storage bays located on adjacent block (approx. 200m from Site boundary)

2.0 Eastern Component of Site – Blasting and Painting Business

Photograph 5: Sign for blasting and painting business

Photograph 6: Spilled chemical containers on landscaping business component of Site

Photograph 7: Above ground storage tank on block across the road from Site

Photograph 8: Entrance to Site

Photograph 9: General waste bins at entrance to Site

Photograph 10: Grated pit to stormwater system located outside blasting/painting factory

Photograph 11: Grated pit to stormwater system outside blasting/painting factory

Photograph 12: Storage container, minimal signs of housekeeping