Presentation - Booyeembara Park
Investigation of Contaminated Materials to Community on
Tuesday 1 June 2010 at White Gum Valley Primary School
Agenda
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Background and Process – DOH Guideline/PSI
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Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) – Summary of Findings
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Department of Health representative – comments on PSI/ existing site
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Way Forward / Next Steps
- Interim Management Plan
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Project Status
- Playground
- Billabong
- Amphitheatre
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DEC Process
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Public Questions and Answers from City’s Officers / DOH
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Proposed further community engagement and information dissemination
Background
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January - February 2010 City internally investigates the extent of surface
contamination and researches the sites history
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March 2010- City begins to fence off various area of suspected surface
contamination, signage is erected at entrance points to the park warning of
potentially small areas of contamination (PACM)
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March 2010 Investigation conducted on Stage 3 Booyeembara Park.
• Surface removal of visible ACM by emu-bob methods (hand picking);
• Limited surface assessment; and
• One day of air quality monitoring (for airborne asbestos fines).
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10th March 2010 City formally reports the site to DEC
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22nd – 26th March 2010, Contractor was engaged by the City of Fremantle
(CoF) to undertake limited asbestos remediation and assessment of the Stage
1 and 3 Areas of Booyeembara Park, Fremantle.
DOH/DEC Guidelines
2010 – Summary of the Guidelines for the Assessment, Remediation and
Management of Asbestos – Contaminated Sites in Western Australia – May 2009
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Regulation
Regulatory Framework
Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI)
Detailed Site Investigation (DSI)
Sampling and Analysis
Risk Assessment and Remediation
Reporting
Flow Chart of
Process
Guideline for the
Assessment,
Remediation and
Management of
Asbestos Contaminated Sites in
Western Australia –
May 2009
Limited Asbestos Investigation and Remediation Report
Conclusions and Recommendations
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A DoH and DEC methodology was used to investigate the surface
occurrence of Asbestos in Stage 1 Area and the Subset A section of Stage
3 Area at Booyeembara Park Fremantle.
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Limited remediation was undertaken by the DoH prescribed emu-bob
method for all of Stage 1 and 3 Areas.
The works included:
Stage 1 Area
Investigation conducted on the;
• Surface remediation of visible ACM by emu-bob methods;
• Detailed surface assessment to 0.3m (compliant with DoH guidelines);
and
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Two days of air quality monitoring (for airborne asbestos fines).
Stage 3 Area (excluding Subset A)
Summary Results For Each Area Investigated Are:
Stage 1 Area:
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Removal of approximately 40 kg of PACM from the surface by emu-bob.
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Asbestos fines were not detected in the soil samples analysed.
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Ten occurrences of PACM observed in the soil sampling locations from
surface (6) to below the surface to 0.3 m depth (55 surface and 55
subsurface samples).
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Four of these subsurface PACM occurrences exceed the assessment
criteria for acceptable % by weight ACM. (DoH guidelines)
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Did not detect asbestos fines within assessment criteria during two days
of air quality monitoring.
Stage 3 Area (Excluding Subset A)
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Removal of approximately 50 kg of PACM from the surface works,
March 2010.
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No detailed assessment undertaken
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Limited sampling of 11 locations detected asbestos fines in 3 soil
samples analysed (previous works, March 2010)
Subset A (Portion of Stage 3)
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Surface occurring PACM previously removed as part of Stage 3 works
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Detailed surface assessment undertaken
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Did not detect asbestos fines in the soil samples analysed
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Did not detect asbestos fines during air quality monitoring
Booyeembara Park Preliminary Site Investigation Report
Conclusions Recommendations
Known Contamination
• Asbestos contamination
Unknown Contamination
• The concentrations and extent of the suspected soil and/or groundwater
contamination is not yet known
RECOMMENDATIONS (PSI)
Consultants recommend addressing the asbestos with one or a combination of
the following options:
• Conduct a full-scale emu-pick to remove potential asbestos containing
materials followed by validation sampling across the site for fibrous
asbestos and asbestos fines;
or
• Importing fill to create a 0.50m cap across the entire site. Regular
monitoring and sampling will need to be conducted – after the cap is
established at the Site – to ensure wind and water erosion hasn’t
unsurfaced any buried asbestos.
• An intrusive soil, surface and groundwater sampling program on-site to
determine the presence, concentration and extent of contamination
associated with the Site’s historic land uses and thus evaluate risks posed
to human and environmental health. This work to be completed in
accordance with the WA DEC Contaminated Sites guidelines; and
• The findings of the sampling program will be compiled into a
comprehensive DSI report, suitable for submission to the WA DEC.
Risk Implications
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The risk has been significantly reduced by the removal of visible PACM
and the surface results indicate negligible occurrences.
Recommendations from PSI
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Report to the DEC
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Develop interim Response Action Plan
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Consider to Restrict access to Booyeembara Park
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Community Consultation through:
- Signage
- Letter Drops
- Meetings etc.
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Detailed site investigations
WAY FORWARD
OPTIONS
Partial Closure of the Park, Immediate Remediation to Stage
one and conduct staged DSI for the entire park.
This option includes the following actions and approvals:
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Emu Pick x 3 and follow-up sampling of Stage One- as Per DoH Guidelines
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Mulching of garden beds as per DoH Guidelines
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Conduct staged DSI for the entire park
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Continued employment of qualified asbestos contractors for maintenance
of the Park
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Development of an Asbestos Management Plan- for interim maintenance
of Stage One – for approval by DoH
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Defined fencing off stages, Two, Three and Four of the park from the
public.
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Erection of appropriate signage at entrances of park.
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Conduct public/stakeholder consultation
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Offer City staff appropriate HAZMAT training for working in the park
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All actions in Option 1 must be reviewed and approved by DoH.
www.fremantle.wa.gov.au
Goodnight and thank you for attending.