Transport has prepared a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Captains Flat FSMC. The REF identifies the potential environmental impacts of the proposal and mitigation measures to protect the community and environment.

The key potential impacts or risks identified by the REF include:

• Erosion and sediment impacts during remediation

• Dust management during demolition, excavation and heavy vehicle loading

• Demolition of the locally listed heritage item

• Ensuring community feedback on the historical significance of the former Station Master’s Cottage is obtained.

The REF outlines the mitigation measures to minimise impacts on the community and environment. These include:

• Installing erosion and sediment controls

• An Air Quality Management Plan - which will be prepared by the remediation contractor before remediation work starts and implemented during remediation

• Air quality monitoring – which will be conducted during the remediation works

• Archival reporting and historical interpretation of the FSMC.

The key findings of the REF are:

• There are short-term minor negative impacts due to potential air and noise emissions from vehicles and machinery, dust from ground disturbance works, and potential for additional soil and water contamination

• The proposal is considered to have a low risk of causing pollution to the environment with the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the REF

• Removing contaminated materials will make the land suitable to be included in the Heritage Trail, representing a positive long-term impact

• Removing contaminated materials is expected to result in positive social impacts, enhance economic use of land and protect the environment. 

You can read the REF here.