Project: Former Port Sorell Landfill Site
Update: February 2025
An overview with respect to the former landfill site in Hawk Hill Road follows:
- A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) of the former Shearwater landfill included extensive investigation of surface water, groundwater, landfill gas and leachate, and soil quality. Seepage emerging from the ground formed part of the investigation which included groundwater beneath the residential and recreational areas to the east of the former landfill. The investigation spanned more than 2 years and included testing of a network of monitoring bores and surface water in the creeks and drainage lines.
- The contaminants detected in surface water and groundwater bores were included in a human health and ecological risk assessment to assess potential risks to people and ecology near the former landfill. The assessment concluded there was low and acceptable risks posed by surface water and groundwater beneath the residential, and recreational areas east of the former landfill, including the golf club and beaches. The final report included data and risk assessment findings that were reviewed by Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) who noted that the investigation of the former landfill was thorough and demonstrated substantial investigative works to better understand the environmental and human health risks of the historic landfilling activities. The EPA also noted that sound mitigation and management options were presented in the DSI to reduce these risks both now and in future, which included future groundwater testing to monitor risks.
- Council will continue to work with the Environmental Protection Authority in relation to the former landfill site including any priority actions, investigations, and monitoring. This will better enable Council to progress the future development of the area as a passive recreation space for community use, and to ensure that any future notices which may need to be issued for the site are well informed.
Update: August 2023
During July numerous test pits were excavated in an endeavour to locate a source and volume of high quality of clay material for capping the disused landfill areas.
Subject to meeting quality requirements there is also potentially a significant amount of excavated natural material from an upcoming large civil project in the region that could be received in preparation for the rehabilitation works.
All works and actions need to ensure a cost-effective solution to rehabilitate the site as a public passive recreation area in the future and Council will be seeing a considerable funding commitment towards the project once better defined.
In the meantime, sampling and testing continues in and immediately around the site to build a better profile of the flow and concentration patterns and to ensure continued public safety in relation to landfill gas and leachate.