IN November 2024 NOTA reported that the old Gloucester Machinery property, opposite Billabong Park in Denison Street, had become Crown Land, and that the site was being investigated for contamination.
The site was used as a service station until about 16 years ago and has underground fuel storage tanks.
Crown Lands indicated at the time that remediation plans were being investigated in consultation with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
MidCoast Council said at the time that it had some discussions with Crown Lands about using the site as a visitor information hub but would need to be satisfied that the contamination issue had been completely resolved.
In June 2025 NOTA sought an update from Crown Lands.
“A Supplementary Detailed Site Investigation (SDSI) is under way”, said a spokesperson for the Department at the time.
“Once the SDSI is completed, a revised Remediation Action Plan will be prepared.
“This will inform the remediation requirements, including possible future uses of the site.”
A Contamination Assessment had been undertaken, which found both groundwater and soil contamination.
Results of the laboratory analysis of groundwater samples collected from three groundwater monitoring wells revealed concentrations of chemicals of concern, being Naphthalene, BTEX and heavy metals.
BTEX is an acronym for four compounds commonly found in petroleum products, and can cause health or environmental risks.
Contaminants were also found in soil samples.
“The assessment found that remediation works will be necessary to enable the site to be made suitable for the proposed development from a contamination perspective”, said the report.
“Further assessment will be necessary to determine the extent of remediation works required,” NOTA was advised.
NOTA recently sought yet another update from Crown Lands, and after nearly two years, still no date is being given as to when all necessary investigations and plans are likely to be completed and the site made available for development.
“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring the safe remediation of contaminated land at 17 Denison St Gloucester,” said a Spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure.
“Crown Lands is currently working with the Environmental Protection Authority as part of ongoing investigations at the former Gloucester Machinery Site.
“While that process is under way, Crown Lands is exploring options with MidCoast Council on the appropriate planning pathway for the potential removal of the above-ground structures.
“Decisions about the site’s future use will be made once remediation requirements have been confirmed and implemented.”
According to Crown Lands,the EPA is reviewing the response and will determine whether Crown Lands will need to conduct even further investigations at the site.
In the meantime the property remains derelict and fenced-off, and Gloucester is unlikely to see a new Visitor Information Hub on the site any time soon.
By John WATTS
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