The NSW Government requires all former sewage treatment plant sites to be cleaned up. It can't be left as it is. It must be made clean and safe.

Most of the contaminant found so far is concrete, steel and a small amount of  bonded asbestos, which is contained in old concrete pipes that have been dumped on site.

Council was unable to dispose of this material locally because the volume could not be accommodated in local facilities. The nearest licensed facility equipped to handle the volume and types of contaminants is in south east Queensland. All loads are covered and damped down to prevent dust and all work is being supervised by the Environmental Protection Authority.

Our best estimate at this stage is about 30,000 cubic metres, but it is an estimate. The total quantity won't be known until there is further excavation of the site.

After the initial findings of bonded asbestos a polymer spray (a glue-type substance) was applied to the entire site. Also, the site is being kept damp with ongoing watering. All vehicles are washed before leaving the contaminated zone.

Not known until there is further excavation of the site ind the amount of contaminated material is known.  It costs about $70 a tonne to dispose of the contaminated material.  There will also be professional costs that are in addition to the cost of disposal.

Testing was done before the site clean up started and it showed there were contaminants on site. An additional 188 test holes were completed prior to excavation works, but the high volume of vegetation made it difficult to determine the volume of site material. It wasn't until excavation started that the amount of the material became apparent. It appears now that material was dumped on the site over a number of years and records were not kept of what and when it was dumped.

Bonded asbestos found on the site  is asbestos that is 'bonded' with other material, such as cement or building products. WorkCover NSW describes friable asbestos as being material that is in a powder form or that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry, and contains asbestos. Friable asbestos poses serious health risks.

Yes, continual air monitoring has been installed at various locations within the site, with results collected daily.

SafeWork NSW and the Environmental Protection Authority. An independent hygienist is on site daily. An accredited third party auditor, licensed contractors and Council's work health and safety team also oversee the work to ensure the safety of the community.

Yes. There is a nominated delegate from the school who attends site meetings and is briefed by the contractors.

Please direct all inquiries to Council's customer service centre on 6643 0200 or council@clarence.nsw.gov.au

From council's sewer fund.

External air monitoring devices cannot be installed in private residences or public areas. This is because the air monitors are affected by activities that are adjacent to the site such as lawn mowing and other dust causing activities.

That will depend on how much material needs to be transported from site, but our best estimate is towards the end of January.