Former Point Cook Fire Training Area
Contamination Remediation Works Project
Community Information Session
26 September 2013
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Welcome & Format
Objective
•Provide an overview & update of the contamination
remediation works that have commenced at the former Fire
Training Area (FTA) at RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook.
•Format of the Evening
– 30 Minute presentation
– Q & A session
– Light refreshments
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook
Former Fire Training
Area
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Site Location and Overview
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Historical Practices – Fire Training Pits
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Contamination
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
FTA Site Plan
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Chemical Oxidation & Air Delivery System
Trials
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Cut-Off Wall & Erosion Control
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Potential for Impacts from Contamination
Human Health
•There is no unacceptable level of risk to users of the beach or
park.
•Risks associated with the site itself are being managed by
controlling access to the site
Ecological
•No effects to the sensitive species present adjacent to the site
could be identified as attributable to the former FTA.
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Remediation Objectives
The objectives of the FTA Site Remediation is to:
– Prevent the further migration of contamination offsite at
concentrations that could adversely impact upon human health
or the environment.
– Enable Defence to use the FTA Site for dry surface training
with overnight camping; and
– Mitigate Defences risk and long term liabilities associated with
contamination of soil and groundwater at the FTA Site.
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Remediation Approach
•Excavate contaminated soil and DNAPL at Source Zones A and B;
•Treat groundwater extracted during the de-watering process;
•Treat contaminated soil and DNAPL using Thermal Desorption technology;
•Test and validate treated soil;
•Re-use the treated clean soil as backfill;
•Revegetate the site post completion of the remediation works;
•Continue to monitor the groundwater to confirm the success of the works;
•Consider groundwater remediation approach based on work outcomes.
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Ex Situ Thermal Desorption
How?
– Direct heating of the contaminated soil.
– Destroys contaminants of concern (CoC) in a controlled
process that does not discharge CoC to the environment.
Why?
– Greater certainty in DNAPL removal
– Proven track record on large scale projects in Australia
– Post-treated soil suitable for use a backfill material
– On-site treatment
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Thermal Desorption Plant
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Remediation Site Layout
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Potential Impacts from Remediation
Likely to be low
•Air Quality (dust, odour & volatile emissions)
– Potential process and engineering controls
•Traffic
– Works undertaken onsite i.e. little to no traffic impacts
post site establishment.
•Noise
– Plant intended to operate 24hrs a day 7 days a week.
– Noise Management Plan
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Management of the Works
•Complies with Commonwealth legislation and the intent of
State environmental and OH&S legislation.
•Works undertaken in accordance with Defence Environmental
Management Systems (EMS).
•Independent Environmental Auditor engaged by Defence.
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Remediation Works Program
•July / October: Site Establishment including construction of
Thermal Desorption Plant and associated infrastructure.
•November / December: Proof of Performance Testing to
ensure plant will be effective at remediating contamination and
complies with regulatory requirements.
•January onwards: Full scale treatment and remediation
activities.
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Recent Works
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Impacts to the Base and Surrounding Area
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Community Consultation Opportunities
•Website: www.defence.gov.au/id/pointcook/
•1800 number: 1800 024 072
•Further public meetings: Approximately every 6 months or as
required.
Former Point Cook Fire Training Area Contamination Remediation Works Project
Questions
•Defence recognises its responsibility to remediate
contaminated sites resulting from its activities.
•We are committed to ensuring the ongoing protection of
human health and the environment, wherever we operate.