Second Bellevue site report available to public

18/9/03
Environment Minister Judy Edwards has announced the release of the report detailing the second phase of soil and groundwater investigations at the former waste control facility in Bellevue. The facility was destroyed by fire in February 2001.
The Bellevue Community Consultative Committee (BCCC) chair Dr Tony Hendry said the report further defined the extent of contamination at the site and introduced a number of options to be considered for site clean-up.
"Environmental consultants URS Australia Pty Ltd investigated the nature of the soil and groundwater contamination at the site and neighbouring properties. The report has been independently reviewed by the CSIRO and was released to the BCCC in late August," Dr Hendry said.
"The investigation included the sampling of 40 soil bores to a maximum depth of 14.5 metres and 21 groundwater monitoring wells to a maximum depth of 29 metres. From those samples, more than 200 different compounds were tested, including hydrocarbons, metals, pesticides, PCB, dioxin and volatile compounds.
"Groundwater contamination was largely found in shallow and intermediate water tables with the potential to leach into the Leederville aquifer and the Helena River within a few years. The Helena River is a tributary to the Swan River and the Leederville aquifer is a valuable source of drinking water to Perth.
"Analyses indicate that some contaminants have already reached the upper Leederville. Groundwater evidence indicates that there was pre-existing contamination from the site prior to the fire. Ongoing groundwater level monitoring and testing for contaminants will further define the movement of the contaminated groundwater.
"The BCCC considers it important that a remediation program is quickly initiated to contain the spread of contaminants."

Dr Hendry said the BCCC was working with LandCorp and the Department of Environment (DoE) to engage the CSIRO to assist in the choice of an appropriate remedial option.
Public information days would be held in Bellevue in late October to discuss the findings of the report and the suggested remedial options. The BCCC requests the input and feedback of local residents in order to identify a remediation process that was effective but does not adversely impact on the neighbourhood.
The BCCC would work with the Department of Environment to develop a tender for a risk assessment to identify clean-up levels for soil, groundwater and operational activities, based on ecological and human health receptors.
Dr Hendry said the Department of Health had provided advice on the investigations and considered that provided the waste control site is not disturbed, the site does not pose an immediate risk to the surrounding community.
Hydro-mulching would be applied to the site within the next month to minimise contaminated dust from the site. However restricting access was important and the long-term groundwater impacts had to be controlled, especially for local bores.
LandCorp, working closely with the DoE and the BCCC, would manage the remediation of the site.
Copies of the report can be accessed at:

• Midland and Guildford public libraries;
• Department of Environment on 9222 7141;
• Department of Environment's website at http://www.environ.wa.gov.au and
• Bellevue Residents and Ratepayers Association.