$112,000 clean-up of contaminated site at Vela Luka Park, Spearwood announced

30/6/99
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today announced the $112,000 clean-up of a contaminated site in Spearwood.
Mrs Edwardes said that she had instructed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prepare the necessary plans and obtain relevant Government approvals for the immediate clean-up of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Vela Luka Park, located between Leonard Way and Stock Road in Spearwood.
"This popular community playground has been fenced off for more than 12 months waiting remediation," she said.
"Now funding has been approved, Government will move quickly to remove the contamination so that the park can be re-opened to the community."
Mrs Edwardes said that the City of Cockburn had been working closely with the DEP and the Health Department during the past year to keep the Spearwood community informed about clean-up plans for the site.
"The City of Cockburn will continue to play a central role in the remediation and restoration of the park and liaison with the community," she said.
Fremantle Gas & Coke operated a gas manufacturing site in Spearwood until the early 1970s, after which the area was remediated and developed for residential use.
In December 1997 investigations undertaken by the Water and Rivers Commission indicated the presence of gas manufacturing waste at Vela Luka Park.
The Water and Rivers Commission, the Health Department, the City of Cockburn and the Department of Environmental Protection formed a project team to investigate the park and neighbouring properties.
An investigation of contamination was completed and showed an estimated volume of 3,750 cubic metres of coal tar waste from the gas works which includes PAHs.
The park has been fenced and fully secured to ensure controlled access to the contaminated area. Measures have been taken to ensure the safety of residents.
Mrs Edwardes said that the remediation of contaminated sites was a real and immediate problem in Western Australia and while proposed amendments to the Environmental Protection Act will institute a polluter pays principle, no such legislative power exists at the present time.
The Minister said the State Government had also committed $6.9 million towards the clean-up of a contaminated site in Bellevue.
Media contact: Nicole Trigwell 9421 7777