Punch downplays contamination risk as State Government look for lessees for Casuarina Point storage sheds

The State Government’s Transforming Bunbury Waterfront project has expanded to include the leasing of three industrial sheds, which sit on land classified as potentially contaminated. The “prime waterfront” storage sheds at Casuarina Point are called sheds six, seven and eight and are being offered as spaces for retail, hospitality, industry or community use to add to the revitalisation of the Bunbury waterfront. The area has been used by Southern Ports but following the closure of berths in the Outer Harbour the sheds will be potentially put out for lease by the State Government. They are being used by Iluka Resources for mineral sands storage and have held ilmenite and heavy mineral concentrate. Lot 10, which is at the tip of Casuarina Point will be broken down to multiple smaller lots. Lot 509 will be the land which houses the three sheds. The land may be reclassified in the future, according to Department of Transport documents as part of the expression of interest form. “DoT understands the present occupant of the site will undertake remedial decontamination works on the site at the completion of their mineral sands operation,” it read. “Lot 10 on Deposited Plan 420603 has a Contaminated Sites Act classification of ‘Possibly Contaminated – Investigation Required’. “DoT understands that the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) may reclassify Proposed Lot 509 as ‘Contaminated – Restricted use’. “Consequently, proponents submitting an Expression of Interest for the site/s and associated structures should satisfy themselves that their proposed activity is compatible with the classification of suitable uses or be prepared to undertake their own work to remove the restricted classification over their lease area.” A DWER report from 2021 said while no potential contaminants were found in the southern section, radiation was detected on the northern side. “The investigations found that no potential contaminants of concern were identified above the relevant assessment levels in soil or groundwater on the southern portion of Lot 1034,” it read. “However, the radiological survey carried out across the northern portion of Lot 1034 identified levels of gamma radiation above local background levels in an area south of the silos. “The elevated radiation appears to be associated with deposits of accumulated mineral sands concentrate.” Regional Development Minister and Bunbury MLA Don Punch said he was confident the land would be suitable for use. “It’s been a port area since the turn of the century, before the turn of the century, so it is something that we have to be mindful of,” he said. “Given that the area has largely been bituminised or concreted I’d be surprised in relation to what contamination might be found, but that’s something that would come out of the investigations based on what ideas people have for the future of the sheds. “There’s been a lot of thought put into the opportunity of those sheds and the Transforming Bunbury Waterfront Group would not have proposed it if there was a roadblock to it.” The three sheds measure between 1440sqm to 3168sqm and according, to estimated costings associated with the expression of interest form, would cost between $1,805,727 and $2,126,052. The costings are down to replacing heavily corroded steel members, maintenance for five years and upgrading fire, hydraulic and electrical systems. Alternatively, to demolish and rebuild the sheds it would cost between $1,991,200 and $3,241,000 depending on which shed. A DWER spokesperson said the site would need further testing. “The site is presently classified as Possibly Contaminated – Investigation Required but is in the process of being reclassified, most likely as Contaminated – Restricted Use,” they said. “In 2020, contamination assessments were carried out at the site to inform plans for the proposed waterfront development. This included a radiological survey due to the use of the site for storage of mineral sands, that contain naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). “An accredited contaminated sites auditor (the auditor) reviewed the investigations and risk assessment for the site. “The auditor indicated that the site does not currently pose an unacceptable risk to human health, the environment or environmental values under the current commercial/industrial use including public open space. However, the contamination may present an unacceptable risk to human health under a more sensitive land use. “The updated classification is likely to restrict the landuse to commercial/industrial, consistent with the present landuse. Development for a more sensitive landuse will require further contamination assessment and/or remediation. “When the site is reclassified as Contaminated – Restricted Use, the classification will be publicly available and will include further information.”