Add Category
Residents living next to an old toxic waste site in southern Wollongong are concerned pollution may have leaked from area, following unexpected land clearing between Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Key points:
- Residents living next to an old waste dumping site left largely undisturbed for nearly 20 years have raised concerns about recent land clearing
- Korrongulla Swamp was used as a dumping site for copper slag from the old Port Kembla Copper Smelter
- The swamp is located directly next door to a wetland rich in birdlife
Korrongulla Swamp at Primbee is close to homes, a major soccer field, childcare centres and a school, and was used as a dumping ground for waste from the Port Kembla Copper Smelter up until the smelter closed in 2003.
Charlie Owen, who lives nearby and has relatives in the area, said they were not notified about the clearing, which was done with excavators and bobcats with slashers.
"Once that area was completed it had to be capped off to protect any leaching of product coming from the copper slag," he said.
"With this machinery running over the top of these areas, it could be causing damage to that cap and also [allowing] product to leech out, which could be detrimental to the health of the people in the local area.
"At this stage we haven't heard what is intended by the new owners of the property."
Another concern is the site's proximity to the Korrongulla Wetland, an annex of the Wollongong Botanic Garden.
The wetland is home to a plethora of birdlife, from the eastern yellow robin, white-browed scrubwren and red-browed finch, to the New Holland honeyeater and more.
Mr Owen said there was inadequate sedimentation control during the recent work and pollution may have leaked into the wetland.
EPA reviewing work
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority, which regulates the site, said it was reviewing community reports to determine if the clearing was compliant with licensing conditions.
"The EPA is not aware of any proposed construction works being undertaken under a new or an existing development consent issued for the premises," a spokesperson said.
Wollongong Greens Councillor Cath Blakey said questions remained around whether the old dumping licence could be re-activated.
"That licence shouldn't just be allowed to hang around for decades," she said.
"It's over a decade since the Copper Smelter closed down and the fact that this EPL (Environment Protection Licence) is hanging around like a zombie that can be resurrected is really concerning."
Owner to meet with council, EPA
Mimosa Rehabilitations Pty Ltd acquired the site in November 2022 and declined to comment when contacted by the ABC.
The company is due to meet with Wollongong City Council and the EPA next week.
"The validity of works carried out on-site is yet to be determined," a council spokesperson said.
"The land owners have agreed to meet with council and EPA prior to carrying out any further works."