Ararat Gasworks site, Grano Street
Update - 17 August 2007
SPI Networks (Gas) Pty Ltd (SPI) owns a number of old gasworks sites throughout Victoria. SPI has agreed to clean up a number of disused gas sites in western Victoria, which were contaminated through the operations of the former Gas and Fuel Corporation operations.
EPA has overviewed the clean up process and directed SPI via a Clean Up Notice (CUN) (Adobe PDF file, 340KB) and a Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN). EPA has been working hard to ensure that the clean up of the Grano Street Gasworks uses all practicable measures to protect the surrounding environment and local community. The goal is to remediate the site so that it ceases to pose any ongoing risk to the environment and the Ararat community.
Odour is a common legacy issue of former gas works sites but with best practice remediation underway EPA will ensure odour and dust reports from the community are responded and reacted to promptly.
EPA’s focus on remediation of this site is for the long-term benefit of the community and the temporary tent and filtration systems are the best way to achieve that.
What to expect during site remediation
Further earth works at the site commenced on 23 July 2007 including the partial relocation of the southern and eastern boundary fences. A tent structure measuring approximately 70 m x 50 m will be constructed for use during the remediation to enclose works. Construction of the tent has commenced and is expected to be completed by Friday 17 August 2007. A sophisticated carbon filtration system will be attached to the tent to prevent potentially offensive odour or dust impacting the local community. Remediation works are expected to be completed in 2008.
Stockpiles outside the tent area, located on the Grano Street side of the site, require less treatment and present less risk for fugitive odour and dust emissions. The treatment involves the use of organic matter.
A stockpile located in the northeast corner of the site had to be relocated to allow for the erection of the tent. This stockpile has been covered with a combination of organic matter and tarps. This stockpile requires further treatment and will be relocated, at a time to be advised, into the tent enclosure.
While the technology being used during the remediation gives EPA the highest confidence that offensive odours will be minimized, some windy conditions could lead to temporary offsite odour events. EPA acknowledges the community has been impacted by odour in the past and will continue to listen and act where possible to ensure there is no impact to the environment.
Site Remediation road map
SPI proposed the following works timeframe for the remediation:
| Stage | Activity | Date | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Remediation of north-west part of site | June 2006 | Completed |
| 2A | Site preparation works Relocating fence and increasing height Testing existing stockpiles Installing dust gauges to monitoring Preparing the base of the tent |
July 2007 | Completed |
| 2B | Erecting the tent at remediation site Relocating stockpiles and backfilling areas with remediated/clean soil |
August 2007 | In progress |
| 2C | Undertake remediation process (treatment) on existing contaminated soil where required | August 2007 | In progress |
| 2D | Commence excavation of 100 year old gas contaminated soil inside tent | August 2007 – January 2008 | In progress |
| 2E | Undertake secondary treatment of excavated soil and transfer remediated/clean soil into backfill excavated areas | September 2007 – April 2008 | |
| 2F | Excavation and removal of other infrastructure such as road and some material under road, site hut and underground pipes. | November 2007 – January 2008 | |
| 3 | Tidy up works Restoring the site with clean remediated soil and levelling the site |
April – June 2008 |
Community updates and further information
EPA staff will be available to meet with the Ararat community at Waack’s Bakery, 170 Barkly St Ararat at the following times:
- Monday 3 September 12:30pm to 2:30pm
- Tuesday 4 September 3:00pm to 5:00pm
No appointment times are necessary.
EPA will also continue to provide information updates to the community through media releases, information bulletins and via this website.
Residents can report dust or offensive odour coming from the site to EPA’s 24-hour Pollution Watch Hotline on 1800 444 004; or by calling EPA South West office on 5226 4825 or sending an email.
If you have site remediation works enquiries you can directly contact EESI Contracting on their 24 hour number 5352 1299.