Next round of investigations at Butler Street Reserve start this week

Published on 11 March 2024

Council will start the next round of contamination investigations at Butler Street Reserve in Byron Bay this Tuesday and Wednesday (12 to 13 March) in response to a request from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

The Butler Street Reserve was an unlicensed landfill up until the mid-1970s and Council has been conducting a series of site investigations for a number of years to determine the type and extent of contamination on site and in the areas surrounding it.

“Council will start the next round of investigations this week which will include testing an additional eight holes at the Butler Street Reserve site,” Council’s Acting Manager Assets and Major Projects, Chris Soulsby said.

“We are letting nearby residents and the public know that these drilling works will not create vibration and use of a small generator will reduce noise impacts.  We will have traffic control in place to redirect pedestrian traffic while the works are taking place,” he said.

“The level of PFAS detected underlying the reserve is comparatively high and that’s why, in partnership with the EPA, we’re conducting further investigations,” Mr Soulsby said.

The investigations will continue over the next three to six months and will be reported to the EPA to determine next steps.

“Our long-term goal remains for the site to be returned for community use for a mixture of green space, markets and car parking,” Mr Soulsby said.

“We are hoping this next round of investigations moves us another step closer to that outcome,” he said.