Detection of elevated lead levels at Captains Flat

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.

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. 

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.

• Presentation slides (PDF, 628.39 KB) from the community information session.
• Questions and answers (PDF, 228.22 KB)from the community information session.

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.

At this stage we plan to start remediation in mid-2023 and complete work by December 2023. The remediation work will then be assessed by an EPA-accredited Auditor to ensure it complies with their strict standards.

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. 

• 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.

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:

• Phone: 1800 491 566
• Email: landassesment@transport.nsw.gov.au

• December 2022 community update

  Voluntary Management Proposal – Captains Flat Station & Yard.

• June 2022 community update

  Detection of elevated lead levels at Captains Flat.

• June 2022 community update

  Voluntary Management Proposal – Captains Flat Station & Yard.

• November 2022 Remediation Action Plan

  Captains Flat Rail Corridor Remediation Plan.

• November 2022 Remediation Options Assessment

  Captains Flat Rail Corridor Remediation Options.

• April 2022 Voluntary Management Proposal

  Notice to Amend Approved Voluntary Management Proposal.

• April 2022 Captains Flat Detailed Site Investigation

  Captains Flat Detailed Site Investigation.

• March 2022 Captains Flat Environmental Management Plan

  Captains Flat Environmental Management Plan.

• October 2020 Captains Flat Preliminary Site Investigation

  Captains Flat Preliminary Site Investigation.