Site remediation works have been ongoing following the demolition and removal of the asbestos contaminated hospital buildings, and discovery of additional contamination areas on the site.
The primary aspect of the site Remediation Action Plan is the capping of an area of the property primarily where the former hospital buildings were located.
Although the Remediation Action Plan works have now been completed, this is not the end of the remediation process, which is directed and concluded by the Auditor.
The validation of the Remediation Action Plan will include a site survey to confirm compliance with the technical specifications of the capping containment structure. The outcomes of Remediation Action Plan process will be addressed in an Environmental Management Plan for the future management of the site.
The Environmental Management Plan will ensure the integrity of the encapsulation of the underlying asbestos contamination. Following endorsement of the Environmental Management Plan, the auditor concludes the remediation process with a formal Site Audit Statement.
This auditing and reporting process is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2022 to early 2023.
The cost of the remediation works has been substantial. Approximately $4.7 million. Cost recovery will need to be a pragmatic consideration for the future planning and development of the site.