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Clean up of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and Emergency Services Board complex at 450 Burnley St, Burnley

History of the site

The industrial area bounded by Madden Grove, Rooney Street, Burnley Street and the Monash Freeway in Burnley has been used for a range of industrial purposes for more than a century. Activities in the area have included land filling, chemical manufacturing, use as a State Electricity Commission substation, and as a council work depot. Former industrial sites of this type often have land contamination issues that require assessment, monitoring and cleanup.

The site of the new Metropolitan Fire Brigade and Emergency Services Board (MFB) complex at 450 Burnley St. Burnley, which sits within this broader area, has historically been used for a number of industrial purposes.

It is important that such sites are managed appropriately in order that they will no longer pose any threat to the environment and our waterways. Since 1990, more than a thousand sites, including former industrial land such as this, have been cleaned up and developed for a range of uses.

The clean up of the site is likely to be complex and take some time; however, the process being directed by EPA requires that all appropriate steps will be taken to ensure the protection of local residents and the local environment including waterways. EPA is currently investigating a number of neighbouring sites.

In the course of excavation and construction works associated with the development of the MFB site an abandoned tar pit was discovered in the South Western portion of the MFB site in Burnley.

In November 2006 EPA met with a range of stakeholders including representatives from MFB, the construction company undertaking works at the site, the environmental consultants assessing the site, Melbourne Water and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) to discuss issues arising from the discovery of the contamination.

EPA has issued a Clean Up Notice, under the Environmental Protection Act 1970 to MFB in order to clearly determine the extent and nature of the contamination on the site. The Environmental Audit required as part of this process will enable all parties to proceed in the manner that best ensures the safety of workers, local residents and the natural environment.

What actions has EPA taken regarding the MFB site in Burnley?

EPA served the Clean Up Notice on the MFB on 20 December 2006 for the purpose of ensuring an environmental audit would be undertaken to formally assess any risks to land or ground water posed by activities at the site. EPA will require any clean up necessary to ensure the long term protection of people and the environment.

One of the main outcomes resulting from the ongoing environmental assessment of the site is the identification of the Richmond Quarry Main Drain (the drain) as a potential point of migration of contaminants from the site to the Yarra River. In responding to this risk MFB have agreed to relocate the entire span of drain crossing the site. Works toward this outcome are well underway.

Clean up of the site is close to completion with the remediation works removing any potential risk to the environment. As part of the remediation process large volumes of contaminated soil continue to be removed from the site. These areas will be filled with clean material and capped with clay to ensure the safety of the area.

On 20 June 2007 the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board requested an extension of time in which to deliver a report to EPA on the environmental audit currently underway at the Burnley site to 31 December 2007. MFB has subsequently sought another extension until April 2008 for completion of the audit.

What about neighbouring sites?

The investigation into contamination of the MFB site is ongoing and has involved neighbouring sites as EPA have tried to gather a comprehensive understanding of the legacy issues in the Burnley area.

EPA has issued a Clean Up Notice to Citipower regarding their site, which neighbours the MFB site, and will be monitoring the guidelines set out in the notice to clean up their site.

EPA has been working closely with the City of Yarra regarding possible contamination of land and groundwater on their neighbouring site and has required they engage an environmental consultant to investigate and make recommendations as to any work required. EPA will issue further clean up requirements if they are deemed necessary, according to the outcomes and recommendations of this environmental assessment.

What kind of contamination is found at the MFB site? Will it impact on neighbours?

The majority of the contamination at the site results from an abandoned tar pit. Tar is typically used in road making and historically, for coating telegraph poles. Testing at the site has identified some hydrocarbons and naphtha-like substances, which are consistent with contaminants found in tars.

Is there a health risk to those working on site?

Work has resumed at the site and the EPA appointed auditor is in regular contact with the CFMEU to address issues relating to worker safety.

The Clean Up Notice issued to MFB requires the audit to consider potential health and environmental impacts including any health risks to workers at the site.

Is there a risk to the Yarra?

EPA has investigated the possibility of contaminated stormwater in the drain which formally ran through the zone of contamination, including the MFB site. Testing at the outlet of the drain to date has not detected any adverse affect on water quality of the Yarra River.

Analysis has indicated low levels of some hydrocarbons and naptha-like substances consistent with contaminants produced from the distillation of coal tar. This testing of the water in the drain and the Yarra River indicates that contaminants from the site are not impacting on the health of the river.

Tests have been conducted in both wet and dry condition for a broad range of water pollutants/contaminants including hydrocarbons (such as Benzene), Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other relevant contaminants including metals.

Who do I contact for further information/how do I stay informed?

Anyone with information relating to potential industrial contamination issues could notify EPA Victoria on 9695 2777.

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