Engineer warns of Barangaroo toxins
Sun Herald
Sunday February 13, 2011
IT WILL take at least 30 years to get rid of a plume of toxic chemicals from the $6 billion Barangaroo development, a report into the Sydney harbourside project warns.In that time a cocktail of dangerous byproducts including coal tar, lead, naphthalene, benzene and cyanide at the former AGL gasworks site at East Darling Harbour could accumulate in car parks and building basements on the site.The report, by consulting chemical engineer Wayne Davies, says groundwater seepage will occur "wherever holes are dug and continue thereafter, i.e. effectively forever".He predicted that as excavation in the most contaminated areas proceeds, an oily, foul-smelling mixture of coal tar and water seeping into the holes will produce odours carried by the wind to surrounding areas.The NSW Environmental Defender's Office commissioned Dr Davies to review remediation plans on behalf of Australians for Sustainable Development, an alliance of concerned residents, architects and community groups, including The National Trust.The alliance, headed by green-ban activist Jack Mundey, is seeking an injunction in the Land and Environment Court to prevent work going ahead. The Barangaroo development will include office buildings, homes, public spaces, parks, a hotel and walkways. The first building is due for completion in 2014.
© 2011 Sun Herald
