Report 13: 2018

Management of Crown Land Site Contamination

DWER’s oversight of funded projects does little to ensure timely remediation

DWER relies on agencies progressing CSMA funded works in a timely manner. We found that State agencies can take a long time to remediate sites and spend CSMA funds. This is justified where the site is complex and investigation and monitoring are required over a number of years to understand contamination sources and impacts. There are 9 ongoing projects. DWER acknowledges that 3 of these have taken too long with funds unspent between 8 and 11 years later. One still has 79% of funds unspent. DWER was not effectively following up with these agencies on project delays.

Since December 2006, around $16 million from the CSMA has been allocated to 17 agencies for contaminated site investigation and remediation works. This includes 28 projects that received over $8 million. The remaining funding was spent primarily on remediation and monitoring of contamination resulting from the Bellevue hazardous waste fire in 2001.

Agencies that receive CSMA funding manage their own projects. Quarterly acquittal reports are provided to DWER outlining progress of works and expenditure of funds. While DWER does agree the scope of work prior to providing the full funding at the beginning of each project, funding agreements do not set timeframes for completion. Funding application guidelines simply state that projects are to commence within 6 months and be completed in a timely manner.

DPLH has had 4 remediation projects funded by the CSMA, 1 of which has been completed.

Table 1 - DPLH projects funded through the CSMA

The following case study example of the Esperance Tank 2 illustrates the long timeframes that can be involved in managing CSMA projects.

Esperance Tank 2 case study

 

 

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