Captains Flat Contamination

Reviewed

Project overview

We have found lead and other heavy metals in soil samples taken from the Captains Flat Station and Yard located at 1 Copper Creek Road, Captains Flat. The site has a long history as the former load out facility for the nearby Lake George Lead Ore Mine between 1939 and 1969.

Some asbestos was also identified in surface soils along the Copper Creek rail embankment and in surface soils along the rail corridor.

We notified the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) as we are required to do. We have fenced the area to create an exclusion zone and installed warning signs. We recently engaged Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Shire Council to spray seal the Copper Creek Road crossing and road surfaces in the nearby SES compound. This will prevent access to the contaminated soils and we will make sure this capping layer is maintained.

Our next steps are to complete planning and environmental approvals for the proposed remediation.

Latest news

April 2024 - Captains Flat Online Community Information Session

Transport NSW invites you to join us for an online information session on Tuesday 9 April to hear about next steps for remediation planning at Captains Flat.  

The session will include: 

  • Status updates on the Remediation Options Assessment for Captains Flat (ROA) and Remediation Action Plan (RAP)  
  • Overview of work to occur 2024 and 2025 
  • Panel session with subject matter experts. 

Please note: We encourage you to email any questions you may have in advance of the meeting. This will help us ensure that we have the relevant information on the night to answer your questions.

Please email your questions by Friday 5 April to landassessment@transport.nsw.gov.au.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday 9 April 2024 
Time: 6.00pm to 7.30pm 
Place: Online, via Microsoft Teams. 

Register: Attendees must register for the event at this link. The online meeting link will be emailed to registered attendees 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the project team on 1800 491 566 or email landassessment@transport.nsw.gov.au.

Regards
Land Assessment Team

February 2024 – Captains Flat Former Station Masters Cottage update

Transport for NSW thanks the community for their attendance at the community information session on 19 September 2023 and for contributions received during the public exhibition period. The event summary report (PDF, 424.48 KB) published online provides an overview of the discussion that occurred at the community information session and summarises the feedback received during the public exhibition. 

We have reviewed the community feedback and after careful consideration, a decision has been made to proceed with the demolition of the former Station Masters Cottage. The land will undergo remediation and will be integrated into the rail corridor and form part of the Captains Flat Heritage Trail – Pathway to Gold. 

Some of the most common questions received in the submission feedback have been responded to in this community feedback Q&A document (PDF, 186.43 KB)

During the public exhibition period, suggestions were captured regarding heritage interpretation and ideas for encouraging visitors to the area.  We will consult with the community later in the year on heritage interpretation and include these suggestions then. Consultation timelines are yet to be confirmed.

Next steps

As the Site is being incorporated into the Rail Corridor, a final Remediation Option Assessment (ROA) is no longer needed to progress the remediation of the cottage. A Remediation Action Plan (RAP) will be prepared in 2024 for the Rail Corridor (including the former Station Masters Cottage).  

The next steps for the demolition of the former Station Masters Cottage are: 

  • Preparation and consultation on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Site, including a Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI) before demolition works commence
  • Demolition is targeted to occur in 2024, however this is subject to change. We will keep the Council and community informed regarding demolition timelines once details have been confirmed.   

 
An in-person community information session will be held in April 2024 to provide an update on the Remediation Planning for the Captains Flat Rail Corridor. Timelines may be subject to change. We will contact the community with more details  as soon as possible.

December 2023 - Captains Flat Former Station Masters Cottage Update

Transport for NSW thanks the community for their attendance at the community information session on the 19 September 2023 and for contributions received during the public exhibition period. Transport is considering the feedback and will report back on next steps for the former Station Masters Cottage in 2024.

As you’re aware, Transport presented the preferred Future Land Use option and remediation criteria for the cottage and announced the preferred option to demolish the structure, remediate the Site to residential criteria and resume the land into the rail corridor which would allow for the continuation of the use of land by the Captains Flat Heritage Trail.

A community feedback and event summary report has been prepared and provides an overview of the discussion that occurred at the community event on the 19 September 2023, as well a summary of the feedback received. View the summary report here (PDF, 424.48 KB).

September 2023 - Captains Flat Former Station Masters Cottage Community Consultation

Transport for NSW held a community information session on 19 September 2023 to update the community on the preferred remediation option for the Captains Flat Former Station Masters Cottage. 

In case you missed the event, please see the presentation slides below. 

PRESENTATION (PDF, 3.28 MB)

PUBLIC EXHIBITION:

At the event Transport for NSW presented the preferred future land use option and remediation criteria for the Site and are seeking feedback from the community.

The proposed strategy is to:

  • demolish the assets
  • remediate the land to residential criteria
  • incorporate the vacant land into the rail corridor to form part of the Captains Flat Heritage Trail – Pathway to Gold.

To find out more on the preferred option, please refer to the presentation slides. 

If you would like to submit your feedback, please click on the link below or email us at landassessment@transport.nsw.gov.au 

HAVE YOUR SAY

The proposed strategy will be open to the public until 17 October 2023.

September 2023 - Captains Flat Former Station Masters Cottage Community Information Session

Transport for NSW (Transport) is hosting a community information session on Tuesday, 19 September 2023 to share the latest news on the Captains Flat Former Station Masters Cottage (Site) project. 

The event will cover: 

  • project status and timeline;
  • preferred future land use option and proposed remediation criteria; 
  • how to provide feedback on the options; 
  • next steps; 
  • Q & A session. 

Event details and how to register: 

Date: Tuesday, 19 September 2023 
Time: 06.00pm to 07.00pm 
Place: Captains Flat Community Hall, 53 Foxlow Street, Captains Flat, NSW 

REGISTER NOW to find out the proposed plans for the Site and provide your feedback. 

For more information regarding this event, please scroll down to community updates section on this website.

August 2023 - Captains Flat Taskforce Community Information Drop-in Session

Representatives from Transport for NSW, NSW EPA, NSW Health, Department of Regional NSW, Crown Lands and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council will be available from 2pm to 7pm to answer any questions from the community.

To register to attend please email info@regional.nsw.gov.au

Light refreshments will be available.

July 2023 - Voluntary Management Proposal Amendment Approved by EPA

NSW Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has now approved Transport for NSW's request to extend the project deadlines for the Captains Flat Rail Corridor (Site). 

The reasons for the amendment include: 

  • remediation criteria changed to recreational/public open space which requires the Site to be remediated to a higher standard than was initially assessed
  • additional investigations required to inform remediation strategy

Please scroll down to the Reports section of this page to view the full Notice from the EPA including the amended deadlines. 

Dec 2022 - Proposed changes to Voluntary Management Proposal

Transport for NSW has requested an extension of time from the NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Voluntary Management Proposal (VMP) to remediate the Captains Flat Rail Corridor.

Transport submitted this request to the EPA through an amendment to the VMP under Section 44 of the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997.

We recently held a community information session to advise the community that we have submitted this change to the VMP.

This will result in some delays to complete remediation. View the Community update (PDF, 229Kb) on the VMP for more details.

In December 2022, we invited the community and stakeholders to provide comments on the updated VMP by contacting the EPA via email info@epa.nsw.gov.au.

Dec 2022 - Community feedback invited on remediation options

Transport for NSW has developed a remediation options assessment and remediation action plan to remediate the area near the former Captains Flat loadout area and rail turntable.

The report outlines the preferred option to remove and safely relocate the waste material to the former Lake George (Legacy) mine site.

In December 2022, we invited community feedback on the Remediation Options Assessment (PDF, 5.45Mb) and the Remediation Action Plan (PDF, 3.71Mb).

Both documents were on public display from 1 December to 31 December 2022.

Transport thanks the community and stakeholders who participated in the consultation process. 

Transport has listened to the community's feedback and will progress with its plan to remediate the area to meet the lead concentration guidelines for public open space. 

Nov 2022 - Community information session

Transport for NSW held a community information session on 21 November 2022 to update the community on the options to remediate part of the Captains Flat Rail Corridor.

Project information

Next steps

Transport will finalise the Remediation Options Assessment (ROA) for the Tarago Woodlawn Siding Rail Corridor and Tarago former Station Master’s Cottage in 2024, which will involve further community engagement.  
 
The ROA will be exhibited in April 2024 and an in-person community information session will be held to provide more information. These timeframes may be subject to change - we will contact the community once the details regarding the event have been finalised. 
 
The timeline for remediation will be established following the completion of the ROA. 
 
Regarding the removal of the Stockpile, Transport has developed a Removal Action Plan (RAP) and is currently navigating the approvals process. Updates on the progress of Stockpile removal will be provided as the work advances. 

What is happening

We are working with the Department of Regional NSW and Legacy Mines to remediate this site as part of their Lake George Lead Ore Mine remediation.

We will continue to engage with local stakeholders and Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Shire Council to ensure the site remediation plan considers the needs of the local community.

Protecting the health and wellbeing of the community and the environment is our highest priority. We will keep you updated as we continue our planning. 

Community information

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

  • What have you found at Captains Flat Station and Yard?
    We have found lead and other heavy metals in soil samples taken from the Captains Flat Station and Yard located at 1 Copper Creek Road, Captains Flat. Some asbestos was also identified in surface soils along the Copper Creek rail embankment and in surface soils along the rail corridor.
  • What sort of levels did you find?
    The soil samples showed levels of heavy metals, including lead, varied at different locations at the site. Lead levels varied from low to levels above the guidelines for industrial land. The highest levels of lead were found in the area of the former load out facility and rail corridor.
  • Is it safe?
    Transport for NSW is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of the community. We have fenced the area to create an exclusion zone and installed warning signs. We recently engaged Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Shire Council to spray seal the Copper Creek Road crossing and road surfaces in the nearby SES compound. This will prevent access to the contaminated soils and we will make sure this capping layer is maintained.
  • What about dust?
    Dust controls will be in place to ensure the safety of the community. Copper Creek Road crossing and road surfaces in the nearby SES compound were spray sealed. This will prevent access to the contaminated soils and we will make sure this capping layer is maintained.
  • How did you test for lead and other heavy metals?
    We tested for lead by taking samples of soil from across the site. These samples were taken from different locations to help us understand the levels of lead across the rail corridor in more detail.
  • How did you test for asbestos?
    We completed a site assessment and identified asbestos along the rail embankment. The asbestos will be safely removed during the remediation.
  • Is the EPA involved?
    We notified the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) as we are required to do. We are working with the EPA and other government agencies to implement the measures required to protect the health of the community and the environment.
  • Where did you take the samples from?
    Testing was completed at Captains Flat Station and Yard located at 1 Copper Creek Road, Captains Flat.
  • Why did you test for lead at Captains Flat Station and Yard?
    Transport for NSW established that the Captains Flat Loadout area was used to load lead ore concentrate from the Lake George Mine for transport by rail. Following consultation with the Captains Flat Taskforce, Transport started testing in the rail corridor at Captains Flat Station and Yard.
  • Can elevated lead levels from soil and water get into fruit and vegetables?

    Plants do not readily absorb lead, but the amount they do absorb depends on the species and the variety of plant, the chemical composition of the soil, the amount of lead in the soil and the soil temperature. Leafy vegetables and herbs tend to accumulate more lead compared to fruiting vegetables.

    Fruit and vegetables should be grown in raised garden beds, using clean imported soil and washed prior to cooking and consuming.

  • What are you doing to protect the community?

    Transport for NSW is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of the community. We have notified the EPA and are working with the relevant government agencies to ensure we fully address any impacts on the community.

    We have fenced the area to create an exclusion zone and installed warning signs. We recently engaged Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Shire Council to spray seal the Copper Creek Road crossing and road surfaces in the nearby SES compound. This will prevent access to the contaminated soils and we will make sure this capping layer is maintained.

  • Can the reports be made public?
    Yes. All final reports will be published on the project website and are provided below.
  • Will you be undertaking more testing?
    We have now completed testing and are currently developing the site remediation plan. We are planning to start remediation work in mid-2023 and complete work in December 2023.
  • How likely is it that I or someone in my family have been exposed to lead? How can I be tested?
    The likelihood that a person has been exposed is dependent on several factors including the level of lead in the immediate environment and activities that could increase exposure, the length of exposure and the person’s age and general health. If you are concerned about possible exposure to high levels of lead, please see your local GP to request a blood test.
  • We have chickens. Is it safe to eat their eggs?

    In general, poultry foraging in soils containing elevated lead levels may swallow enough lead to cause their eggs to become potentially unsuitable for consumption. To prevent this from occurring:

    • poultry should not be allowed to range freely where lead is suspected
    • poultry can be housed on a concrete or bitumen floor with a 150mm layer of straw or wood shavings
    • visibly dirty eggs may be wiped with a damp cloth.
Further information

For more information about Captains Flat Station and Yard, please visit the NSW Government webpage

For more information about lead exposure, please see advice from NSW Health.

For more information about managing lead in the environment see the EPA fact sheet.

If you couldn’t attend the community information session and have questions that are not covered in the FAQs, please contact the project team:

Planning
In progress
Complete

Project documents

Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG).

If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us.

 

Community updates

Reports

Presentations

Contact us

For further information about this project, please contact:

Phone: 1800 491 566

Email:landassesment@transport.nsw.gov.au