Clean-up of old East Perth gasworks site completed

31/10/96

The State Government has completed the transformation of the old East Perth gasworks site following the successful environmental rehabilitation of the area.

At the official opening of Mardalup Park, Planning Minister Richard Lewis said the $15 million clean-up of the site was an important part of the redevelopment of East Perth as an exciting new inner-city community.

Mr Lewis said the project was the first successful large-scale remediation and rehabilitation of a gasworks site in Australia.

"The success of this project has provided a valuable asset for the rapidly expanding community of East Perth and removed a significant threat to the ecology of the Swan River," he said.

"Never before has a remediation project of this type been completed on time and on budget."

Gas was produced on the site for nearly 50 years before the gasworks was decommissioned in 1971. However, it was not until the 1980s that contamination of the area was first revealed.

The process of extracting gas from coal had produced chemical by-products including coal tar which had been stored on site and eventually leached into the soil and the Claisebrook Drain and the Swan River.

"Left untreated, the contaminated material posed a significant long-term risk to public health and the eco-system of the Swan River," Mr Lewis said.

Bacteria, which Is naturally found in the soil, was used to neutralise contaminated sediment dredged from the river bed.

The process, known as bio-remediation, successfully converted dangerous coal tar into harmless compounds such as carbon dioxide and water.

Mr Lewis said the design of Mardalup Park had been formulated in consultation with the Aboriginal community.

"Mardalup is an Aboriginal name meaning place of the small marsupial and refers to the hunting which took place around Claisebrook," he said.

"The park's natural bush gardens and walkways connect to the boardwalk along the impressive Claisebrook Cove, reinforcing the Redevelopment Authority's commitment to pedestrian access within the new urban village."

Mr Lewis said a number of State Government agencies had assisted in the successful completion of the gasworks project.

"Alinta Gas must be commended for its financial support and the Federal Government deserves recognition for its contribution through the Building Better Cities program," he said.

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595