Goulburn Rail Corridor contamination

Reviewed

Transport for NSW is undertaking the Goulburn Precinct Remediation Project related to historic contamination in the Goulburn Rail Precinct.

Background 

Preliminary and Detailed Site Investigations indicate that the site contains lead and other contamination related to historical industrial activities associated with use of the site. These have included industrial activity from the 1900’s, mainly the storage and transfer of wheat, wool and livestock. Part of the site was also used as a bulk fuel depot. Other general rail activities including the movement of locally mined ores such as lead may have also contributed. 

There are three main investigation areas, these are the North Yards, Wheat Yards and the Roundhouse.   

Areas Impacted 

The North Yards, Wheat Yards and the Roundhouse are all at various phases including, Preliminary Investigation Phase, Detailed Investigation Phase and Remediation Planning Phase. 

Preliminary and Detailed Site Investigations indicate that the site contains lead and other contamination related to historical industrial activities associated with use of the site. 

The investigations also indicate that contamination exceeds commercial / industrial criteria in accordance with relevant legislation and Transport has notified the EPA in accordance with its obligations. 

The EPA is yet to determine whether the site will be regulated under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (CLM Act). 

When did we inform the NSW Environmental Protection Authority? 

  • Goulburn Wheat Yards: October 2021 
  • Goulburn Roundhouse: June 2021 

Engagement Approach 

We will keep the community informed as our work progresses through community updates and our website. We will also email updates if you have registered an interest.  

Please register to receive email updates for website updates and community sessions by emailing the team at landassessment@transport.nsw.gov.au  

We will also offer community information sessions from time to time, either face to face in the local area or online.  

We will contact you directly if the communication is regarding private land or tenancies.  

Planning
In progress
Complete

Keeping the community safe 

We are committed to your safety and are continually monitoring and assessing all options available to remediate the site.  

Next milestone 

We will engage specialist contractor and start to plan remediation of the site. 

Project Updates 

Project updates will be provided regularly in the section below titled “Latest Updates”. 

Register to receive email alerts for web updates and for invites to community information sessions via the Contact Us link below. 

Latest Update

January 2024 - Latest project newsletter out now 

Our very first newsletter on the Goulburn Wheat Yards project and the Goulburn Roundhouse project is out now. To find out what we have been up to since our last visit to Goulburn in December 2022, please go to the ‘Community Notification’ section of this page and download the newsletter.

In this newsletter you will find:

  • project overview
  • latest news and next steps
  • frequently asked questions.
  • how to contact us.

If you have any questions related to these projects, please contact the project team on 1800 491 566 or email landassesment@transport.nsw.gov.au

Older Updates

December 2023 - Reports for Goulburn Wheat Yards Sidings.  

Transport has completed an investigation surrounding the Goulburn Wheat Yards Sidings. 
 
The objective of the investigation was to determine if lead contamination has migrated from the rail corridor to the surrounding areas and assess the potential risks to human health and the environment. The investigation report confirmed there was no offsite migration of lead contamination and no risk to human health or the environment.

To view the reports, please scroll down to the Reports section of this page.

July 2023

Goulburn Roundhouse Voluntary Management Proposal Accepted

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has approved the Goulburn Roundhouse Voluntary Management Proposal (VMP) on 06 July 2023. 

A VMP is a legal agreement between the NSW EPA and Transport for NSW which outlines the key stages in the remediation process and the proposed timing for each stage.  

To view the VMP please scroll down to the Reports section of this page.

June 2023

Off-site investigation work at Goulburn Wheat Yards

Transport for NSW and the Australian Rail Track Corporation will be undertaking off-site investigations within the Goulburn Wheat Yards Sidings (Site) area from Monday, 19 June to Friday, 23 June 2023 as a part of ongoing investigations into the Goulburn Railway Precinct lead contamination.

The upcoming works will include an x-ray fluorescence, XRF, survey and collecting of soil samples within the road verges and land extending down Sloane Street, Ottiwell street, Lansdowne Street, Dossie Street, Finlay Road, King Street and Cooma Avenue (if required). To view the map of the work area please scroll down to access the Community Notification.  

This important work will help us determine whether the lead has migrated offsite, as well as understand if additional investigations and/or safety measures are required to manage the Site.  

Transport staff will be in Goulburn (corner of Sloane Street and Finlay Road) on Monday, 19 June 2023 from 13.00 to 17.00 and Tuesday, 20 June 2023 from 09.00 to 12.00 to answer questions from the community regarding this project.    

Transport will share the investigation report findings on this page once finalised.

February 2023

GOULBURN ROUNDHOUSE

Goulburn Roundhouse formally declared as a Contaminated Site by NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

On 14 February 2023, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) formally declared the Goulburn Roundhouse (the Site) as significantly contaminated land under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (CLM Act).

Next steps

Transport is working with Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), the NSW EPA and the NSW EPA accredited Site Auditor to manage the Site.

Transport will enter into a Voluntary Management Proposal (VMP) with the NSW EPA which will outline how the contamination will be managed.

The project is currently in investigation phase with additional investigations planned to be completed by the end of 2023. These investigations will inform the next stage of the project. Remediation Planning is currently planned to commence early 2024.

An Interim Environmental Management Plan (IEMP) was implemented in September 2020 to manage any potential risks to the community and environment. The IEMP is reviewed and updated as additional investigations are completed.

For more information on lead exposure or about managing lead in the environment, please scroll down to 'More Information' on this page.

We will continue to update the community and stakeholders on any future investigation work and plans to manage / remediate the contamination at the Site. 

How to stay informed

If you would like to receive email alerts for any future web updates or invites to community information sessions, please register via email to landassessment@transport.nsw.gov.au.

January 2023

Community Information Session

Transport for NSW held a community information session on 13 December 2022 to inform the community on plans for the remediation of the Goulburn Rail Corridor. 

View the presentation slides (PDF, 925.27 KB) from the community information session held at Goulburn Soldiers Club. 

Reports relating to the project 

Goulburn Wheat Yards: 

Goulburn Round House: 

More information 

Community Notifications 

Contact Us 

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

Tagged as