Breaking News
Residents fear contamination
PAUL TATNELL
Wednesday 7 May, 2008 5:01pm
NORTH Sydney Council has moved to calm Wollstonecraft residents' fears that a development has unearthed dangerous, lead-ridden soil.
Residents contacted the Daily saying a development by the Mater Hospital in Gillies St had uncovered soil with dangerous levels of lead.
Residents said lead in the soil was a health risk to them and patients next door at the Mater Hospital. But North Sydney Council said the levels were safe.
"At the time of the development application, the soil at 3-9 Gillies Street, Wollstonecraft, was tested by Douglas Partners and analysed for heavy metals, and other chemicals including petroleum hydrocarbons, and pesticides," North Sydney Council spokeswoman Kathryn Lord said.
"The investigation revealed a low level of contamination at the site. All reported contaminant concentrations were within the EPA's safe levels and the site was considered suitable for the proposed Mater Hospital Clinic."
Ms Lord said the site was re-tested after residents contacted the council with further concerns about lead concentrates in the soil.
"The soil was again tested in March 2008, this time by Geotechnique. The samples were tested for heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc," she said.
"Geotechnique has reported that the concentrations of metals present were not considered to pose a risk of harm to human health or plant growth under any form of development. The topsoil can be disposed of at an appropriately licensed landfill facility and is also suitable for use at another development site."
The soil was removed on Monday morning. A worker told the Daily that asbestos had already been removed.
Mater Hospital spokesman, David Faktor said the contamination was low-grade. "The result of the test indicates that the soil is to be classified as a low-grade contaminated soil, known as 'inert', which means the soil is suitable for re-use on another development site or to be disposed to a suitable tip," he said.
