Group Pty Limited Environmental Assessment Report for the Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Site Remediation Project August 2006 Volume 1 of 3 PASMINCO pasminco cockle creek smelter site, environmental assessment report Document Control Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Site Remediation Project Prepared For: Prepared By: Peter McCluskey PCCS Deed Administrator Anthony Fitzsimmons Ferrier Hodgson Fitzwalter Group Lvl 29 Bourke Place 633 Harris Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Ultimo NSW 2007 P: 9604 5114 P: 02 9211 6633 F: 9642 5887 F: 02 9211 9299 Author: Project Manager: ________________________________ Date: 10 August 2006 DENNIS ZINES Reviewed By: Director ________________________________ Date: 10 August 2006 ANTHONY FITZSIMMONS Revision History: Revision No. Date Issued Reason / Comments 1 30/06/06 Issue to DoP for pre-exhibition review 2 10/08/06 Issue to DoP for exhibition Distribution: Copy No. Revision No. Location 1-5 1 DoP 6-7 1 FH 1-30 2 DoP 31-55 2 FH/FW Note: This is a controlled document within the document control system. If revised, it must be marked SUPERSEDED and returned to the Fitzwalter Group Representative. This document contains commercial, conceptual and engineering information which is proprietary to FITZWALTER GROUP. We especially state that inclusion of this information does not grant the Client any licence to use the information without Fitzwalter Group’s written permission. We further require that the information not be divulged to a third party without our written consent. Environmental Assessment Report August 2006 . page ii pasminco cockle creek smelter site, environmental assessment report Statement of Validity Submission of Environmental Assessment Prepared under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Environmental Assessment prepared by Name Dennis Zines Qualifications BSc Chem. Eng; PhD Chem. Eng Address Fitzwalter Group 633 Harris St Ultimo NSW 2007 In respect of Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Remediation Project Applicant & Land Details Applicant Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Pty Ltd (Subject to Deed of Company Arrangement) 13a Main Road, Boolaroo NSW 2284 Subject Site Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Lands Land to be developed 13a Main Road, Boolaroo NSW 2284 Lot & DP Lot 201 DP805914 Lot 21 DP 253122 Lot 1 DP 523781 Lot 23 DP 251322 Project Summary Remediation of land via concrete slabs and services removal, excavation of contaminated soil, treatment and mixing of the soil; construction of containment cell to contain the soil and other materials with associated effluent treatment plant, long term management of the cell and related lands. Environmental Assessment An Environmental Assessment is attached Declaration I certify that I have prepared the contents of the Environmental Assessment in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and regulation and that, to the best of my knowledge, the information contained in this report is not false or misleading. Signature Name Dennis Zines Date 10 August 2006 Environmental Assessment Report August 2006 . page iii pasminco cockle creek smelter site, environmental assessment report Table of Contents [1.0] CHAPTER 1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .....................................................................................................................................1 [1.1] KEY MESSAGES .........................................................................................................................................................................1 [1.2] CONTEXT OF THE PROJECT ........................................................................................................................................................1 [1.3] THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT .....................................................................................................................................................2 [1.4] THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION.......................................................................................................................................................2 [1.5] ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................................................................................3 [1.6] PROJECT JUSTIFICATION ............................................................................................................................................................3 [2.0] CHAPTER 2 - INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................4 [2.1] THE REMEDIATION SITE..............................................................................................................................................................4 [2.1.1] Site Location and Details..................................................................................................................................................4 [2.1.2] Relationship with Incitec and Other Sites.........................................................................................................................4 [2.1.3] History of the PCCS Lands ..............................................................................................................................................5 [2.1.4] Current Ownership ...........................................................................................................................................................5 [2.1.5] Easements and Encumbrances .......................................................................................................................................6 [2.1.6] Court Order ......................................................................................................................................................................6 [2.1.7] The Declaration ................................................................................................................................................................6 [2.1.8] The Remediation Order and the Amended Remediation Order .......................................................................................6 [2.2] CURRENT STATUS AND CONDITION OF THE SITE..........................................................................................................................7 [2.2.1] Demolition ........................................................................................................................................................................7 [2.2.2] Actions in Response to the RO ........................................................................................................................................7 [2.2.3] Present and Future Actions prior to the Site Remediation ...............................................................................................8 [2.3] OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT.......................................................................................................................................................9 [2.3.1] General Project Description .............................................................................................................................................9 [2.3.2] Project Proponent.............................................................................................................................................................9 [2.3.3] Objectives of the Project ..................................................................................................................................................9 [2.3.4] Nature of Part 3A Approval which is sought.....................................................................................................................9 [2.4] THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT ...................................................................................................................................................10 [2.4.1] Remediation Issues and Pollution Risks ........................................................................................................................10 [2.4.2] Redevelopment Potential ...............................................................................................................................................11 [2.4.3] Economics of Site Maintenance .....................................................................................................................................11 [2.4.4] Local and Regional Planning and Employment..............................................................................................................11 [2.4.5] Summary ........................................................................................................................................................................12 [2.5] STATUTORY FRAMEWORK.........................................................................................................................................................12 [2.5.1] Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................................12 [2.5.2] Part 3A of EP&A Act and State Environmental Planning Policy (Major Projects) 2005 (Major Projects SEPP) ............12 [2.5.3] SEPP 55 Remediation of Land (SEPP 55).....................................................................................................................13 [2.5.4] Lake Macquarie City Council Local Environmental Plan