Orica Botany Liaison Committee (OBLC) Meeting

Orica Botany Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes –10 March 2020

10 March 2020 Orica Botany Liaison Committee meeting draft minutes-revised, with attributions-approved - July meeting

Orica Botany Liaison Committee (OBLC) Meeting MEETING MINUTES, MEETING NO. 25

Tuesday 10 March 2020 at 5:30 pm I Orica Australia Pty Ltd 16-20 Beauchamp Rd

MATRAVILLE NSW 2036 PRESENT Ian Colley (Independent Chair) (IC)

Susan Hall, Australian Environmental School & Network (SH)

Lynda Newnam, La Perouse Coastcare (LN)

John Burgess, Australian National Sports Fishing Association / Resident (JB)

Brian Troy, Resident (BT) Tony Vecellio, Randwick Botany Little Athletics (TV)

NSW ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY Matthew Hart, Senior Operations Officer – Metro South (MH)

Olivia Patterson, Operations Officer, Contaminated Land Advice and Audit (OP)

ORICA James Stening, Senior Environmental Technologist (left meeting at 6.58 pm) (JS)

Colin Wiley, Lead – Legacy Projects (CW)

Effie Tsoukalas, Coordinator – Communities and Site Operations (EF)

IN ATTENDANCE Leanne Smith (Governance House Pty Ltd, Minute Taker)

APOLOGIES Judith Betts, Bayside Council (JB)

Greg Russell, Department of Planning, Industry & Environment (DPIE) – Water (GR)

Richard Green, Department of Planning, Industry & Environment (DPIE) – Water (RG)

1. AGENDA ITEM # 1: WELCOME & APOLOGIES Ian Colley Welcomed all attendees, declaring the meeting open at 5.32 pm.

Tabled apologies received from Judith Betts, Greg Russell and Richard Green.

2. AGENDA ITEM # 2: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Ian Colley Acknowledged the Aboriginal people on whose land the meeting takes place and paid

respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

3. AGENDA ITEM # 3: MINUTES PF PREVIOUS MEETING MOTION # 1 THAT the Committee accepts the Minutes of the Orica Botany Liaison Committee Meeting

held on 19 November 2019 as a true and correct record of matters raised. Moved: Susan Hall Seconded: John Burgess Carried unanimously

4. AGENDA ITEM # 4: MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING The following changes to the Action Item Register were recorded:

NOV19 # 1 was closed as actioned, with the information emailed on 3 March 2020. NOV19 # 2 remains open, with Matt Hart to investigate within the broader Department of Environment, Energy and Science and to report back to the Chair for distribution to the OBLC. NOV19 # 3 was closed (for discussion under the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Update). NOV19 # 4 was deferred for consideration at the July Committee Meeting. NOV19 # 5 was closed (posted late in 2019). NOV19 # 6 was closed, with Leanne Smith of Governance House Pty Ltd providing Minute taking support to the meeting. NOV19 # 7 was deferred until the July Committee meeting. MAR19 # 1 remains an ongoing item.



COMMUNITY DISCUSSION John Burgess

Discussed the problems of air quality associated with the recent bushfires, and the EPA proposal for an air monitoring station as part of the broader environmental monitoring context.

Lynda Newnam

Highlighted Budget estimates and commentary in relation to air quality monitoring. Noted the City of Sydney’s air monitoring station, and reported the tabling questions at a recent Planning NSW Air Quality Webinar that were not dealt with at / or responded to post the event. Further suggested that a monitoring station on the border of the wetlands is not capturing the true industrial nature of the park. Requested that a response to the matter be circulated to the Committee in advance of the July meeting, and within a reasonable timeframe.

John Burgess

Noted matters raised by the Committee in relation to the Sir Joseph Banks Park Restoration Project and Master Plan including representation by the NSW Port Authority and Landcare, the profile of the Strategic Plan developed in conjunction with Bayside Council, and the addressing of commemorative features and restoration of artefacts in the park.

Ian Colley Discussed ongoing items including Letterbox drops in relation to use of bore water.

RESPONSE Response to community discussion included: Suggestion that the EPA would provide an answer to the query regarding installation of

another air quality monitoring station within two weeks; Acknowledgment of the request that information be distributed to the Committee out of

session, rather than waiting until the next scheduled meeting date.

5. AGENDA ITEM # 4.2: CORRESPONDENCE None tabled. 6. AGENDA ITEM # 4.3: NEW MEMBERS There were no new members present. 7. AGENDA ITEM # 6: HCB UPDATE Colin Wiley Reported that the application for the next shipment has been lodged, with no update

available at the time of the meeting. Discussed Load 4, noting ongoing requests to take more / within shorter timeframes, with this dependent on the processing capacity of the receiving facility.

8. AGENDA ITEM # 7: BOTANY GROUNDWATER CLEANUP PROJECT UPDATE James Stening

Provided a Presentation to the Committee including the following: Progress against the project objectives including treatment of 24,990 megalitres of

groundwater and 1,447 tonnes of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) destroyed by 31 December 2019; Results for the period 1 October 2019 to 31 December 2019 including: destruction of 11

tonnes of CHCs; achievement of hydraulic containment; monitoring of surface and groundwater with no results that changes the Consolidated Human Health Risk Assessment; full compliance with Groundwater Treatment Plant (GTP) stack discharge limits; average GTP influent concentration for the period of 17 mg / L (within normal range); compliant results re GTP treated water discharges; and full compliance with GTP trade waste discharges to sewer; Showed a graph demonstrating the mass of CHCs destroyed over the life of the project,

with 1,447 tonnes cumulative and some leveling off as anticipated; Reported on recent activities noting: the GTP continues to operate effectively (noting the

annual shutdown through March for routine maintenance activities); revised Voluntary Management Proposal (VMP) approved by the NSW EPA and signed in March 2020; the Biannual Surface Water and Groundwater Monitoring event held this month, with a focus on surface water and limited shallow groundwater locations; the Strategy Review Workshop held on 2 and 3 March 2020 including three international experts: Dr Mike Kavanaugh, Dr Tamzen Macbeth and Dr Kurt Pennell, followed by the Community Forum



on 4 March 2020; and input to the Strategy Review by the international experts and local and international consultants, the NSW EPA and the Independent Monitoring Committee (IMC).

Summarised actions arising from the Strategy Review Workshop held in 2017 including: Report from Geosyntec Consultants on the outcomes of their studies and related DNAPL

characterisation, which clearly demonstrates that natural attenuation is taking place (both biological and abiotic processes) and noting attenuation through sorption and diffusion into low-permeability layers; The Source Zone Remediation Options Assessment prepared by Golder outlining

assessment of source zone cleanup technologies, with the broad conclusion that no technologies are considered appropriate for implementation at this stage; Hydraulic capture assessment and an updated report on hydraulic containment

methodology (using the US EPA Six-Step Capture Zone Analysis), with the NSW EPA currently reviewing the report, and with the previous version still in place for assessment of hydraulic containment in the six-monthly reports.

COMMUNITY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & RESPONSE Lynda Newnam

Stated that it would have been appropriate for the EPA attendees at the Community Forum to have been identified in their capacity as representatives of the regulator.

Ian Colley Sought detail of the major differences in the hydraulic containment assessment methodology?

RESPONSE JS responded that this amounted to a change in the data assessed. OP reported that the NSW EPA is close to a resolution, with one outstanding matter to be addressed

John Burgess

Requested information on the number of attendees at the Workshop and key learnings?

RESPONSE JS reported attendance by approximately 40 people.

2020 WORKSHOP FINDINGS James Stening

Discussed the 2020 Workshop findings including: The current containment strategy remains appropriate and is meetings its objectives; There are no new technology breakthroughs for source or plume remediation that merit

trialing; Transition decision endpoints are under active investigation and discussion (tying into the

Adaptive Management Strategy (AMS) and evolving with time and conditions); The Adaptive Management Strategy is consistent with best practices internationally; Continuing assessments of the benefits of source removal and GTP optimisation; Suggestion that further evaluation of natural attenuation processes in groundwater and

static zones is appropriate; Reported ongoing and continuing review of GTP optimisation through fortnightly meetings

and regular adjustments (i.e. the system is a dynamic one); Noted that Source-plume response is complex, with evaluation of primary and secondary

sources essential to predicting treatment response (investigations into DNAPL and source mass); Additional assessments to understand the transitional phase of removing the GTP down

the track including in situ degradation processes, sorption, and diffusion; Refinement of estimates of assimilation capacity (what the receiving environment can

handle safely).

COMMUNITY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & RESPONSE John Burgess

Requested information in relation to things that could not be done, that may be happening in other parts of the world?

RESPONSE JS responded by noting that each site has unique characteristics, with the role of the expert Panel Members to consider whether there are technologies that could be used at Botany, with none identified that would warrant future trials, but highlighting that this forms part of the ongoing review process.



Lynda Newnan

Noted discussion around site access issues.

RESPONSE JS discussed access to above and below ground infrastructure in source areas (which significantly constrains efficacy of source zone cleanup), noting also some constraints regarding containment lines; and the trials at the GTP of a pilot-scale Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR, which is a technology commonly used in municipal wastewater treatment plants) to assess the use bacteria to breakdown CHCs in the feed groundwater to the GTP.

2020 WORKSHOP FINDINGS Continued James Stening

Continued his Presentation highlighting: Numerical modelling of plumes and source depletion and migration (with consideration to

be given to further modelling of source zone depletion and evolution of the plumes using the data from Geosyntec); Degradation processes are critical to long-term remediation and management; Suggested consideration of enhanced biodegradation in the low permeability layers to

enhance sorption of contaminants. In response to a query regarding comments made by Dr Denis O’Carroll, IMC representative, at the Community Forum, he noted that Dr O’Carroll did not present at the Workshop, with this presentation focusing on the views of the international experts and the informal conclusions as presented at the Community Forum.

COMMUNITY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & RESPONSE Susan Hall Discussed the volume of data received, with request that the information be presented in an

accessible manner, including analysis in simple language.

Ian Colley Summarised the request for a Plain English Summary of the most important findings.

RESPONSE JS discussed difficulties in paraphrasing the huge amount of data presented over the course of the two-day Workshop and noted that the Forum Presentations would be made available on the website, with a Summary Report prepared as part of the process.

Susan Hall Requested that Dr Denis O’Carroll be asked to provide some analysis of the Workshop findings for the information of the Committee in an easy to understand form for the Community.

Lynda Newnam

Discussed the original 2036 timeframe and suggested that the Workshop had presented a change to what was previously understood by the community.

Susan Hall Discussed the difficulty for the Community to access data online and that some form of help is needed to highlight and provide details of the information the Community needs to know. It is in the best interests for the Community to know about the contamination at Southland Detention Basin.

Lynda Newnam

Clarified the need for presentation of the data so that a new resident in 20 years’ time has access to relevant information.

Susan Hall Reiterated concerns around the density of the material, with requirement for a source of easily understood information that is not esoteric for those who do not have specialised knowledge of the context or background.

Ian Colley Summarised the requests of the Committee as: 1. An easily understood summary of the Workshop review; 2. Provision of information around the overall context of the Project; 3. Presentation by the IMC Independent representative.

Susan Hall Highlighted the information online is not only difficult to access but it is also posted on the polluters website and the community may not trust this source of information. As the contamination of the aquifer is permanent, an independent source of information is necessary to involve the Community in the long term Clean Up process.

RESPONSE JS Discussed the role of the IMC to concur or flag issues, and highlighted requirement to keep the plan moving forward.



ACTION # 1 James Stening to provide the Committee with a copy of the Strategy Review Workshop Summary Report.

ACTION # 2 Orica to coordinate Dr Denis O’Carroll’s attendance and presentation to the next OBLC Meeting.

John Burgess

Requested that the IMC comment on the forward direction, including extraction of 1,500 tonnes or 25% of total estimated mass of CHCs, with 75% remaining in the ground in the DNAPL phase (and not easily extracted).

Susan Hall Reiterated requirement for an independent source of information, a voice that can be shared with stakeholders including the Environmental School and Network and link with others around the contamination Clean Up at Botany including EPA access.

Ian Colley Summarised the discussion as requirement for an analysis of the Research in layman’s terms to be undertaken by Dr Denis O’Carroll (and prepared after James Stening’s Summary Report is released,) with the scope of the document to be developed out of session.

ACTION # 3 Dr. Denis O’Carroll to prepare a plain English version of the Workshop findings, to document the overall context of the project, and the long-term view, for tabling with the Committee.

Lynda Newnan

Asked for feedback on what the EPA got out of the session?

9. AGENDA ITEM # 8: EPA UPDATE Matthew Hart & Olivia Patterson

Provided an update to the meeting including: The Strategy Review as laying the groundwork for the future, noting the uniqueness of the

scientific point of view (with that level of detail not usual); The world class experts engaged to provide Presentations to the Workshop; The focus of the previous (2017) Workshop on technology; Data analysis and modelling of the plume and source zone degradation to allow for more

informed decision making and to provide context around the options; Desire to understand what is happening in the aquifer (with the next four years to build on

that work); Noted the site as highly complex and the work as ongoing and iterative; The long-term process detailed in the Conceptual Site Model; The updated VMP that is ready to be signed (as previously discussed), supported by the

Groundwater Remediation and Management Plan; Annual review of data, four-year review of the Consolidated Human Health Risk

Assessment and the project movement into the next stage; Containment system needs to continue for the foreseeable future; The EPA Licensing division are working with Orica on financial assurances (noted as a

challenging process); To date there have been no ongoing concerns in relation to annual data reviews.

COMMUNITY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & RESPONSE Lynda Newnan

Expressed desire for a one-page summary of the review process (noting the multiple review cycles and confusion from a community perspective). Further requested some clarity around the role of the regulator.

RESPONSE JS referred to a slide presented at the last meeting, noting the various cycles and the hierarchy of the data in the VMP.

Susan Hall Suggested that there is an element of misinformation within the community.

Lynda Newnan

Recommended documentation of the various roles and responsibilities, with request for simpler communications (including from the Government).

John Burgess

Sought assurance that the EPA has the teeth and willingness to police matters as required?

Susan Hall Recommended inclusion of a summary on the EPA website.



RESPONSE MH noted that the comments from the Community had been taken on board, with transparency something that the organisation strives for.

MERCURY CONTAINMENT UPDATE Matthew Hart Provided an update to the meeting on Action CLC Mar11 #3 relating to the mercury cell,

highlighting: Containment as a suitable approach (with remediation attempted); Summary of containment with water level monitoring provided by Orcia (with the next

report due on 30 March and with an update to be provided to the next Committee meeting); Land ownership, with the source zone owned by Orica; Maintenance of the cell and associated monitoring annually.

COMMUNITY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & RESPONSE Susan Hall After comment by the EPA that there is no plan to remove the Mercury contained on site

SH asked how long will the barriers of the mercury cell last? Noting that the Aquifer has scattered areas of peat and sediment that has absorbed contaminates SH asked, has mercury been absorbed in areas beyond the containment barriers? Also is there a symbiosis or relationship between the bugs working within the aquifer and the mercury?

RESPONSE MH discussed ongoing review, noting some uncertainty around estimates of longevity, the impact on the containment system over time, and monitoring as part of the maintenance program.

Lynda Newnam

Sought information on the timeframe for containment of the mercury.

RESPONSE JS discussed the notional timeframe of 100 years but noting that no barrier has been around for that long, noting monitoring, with the cells continuing to isolate the contamination.

ACTION # 4 Matthew Hart / NSW EPA to provide additional information on the timeframe for containment of the mercury.

John Burgess

Discussed the isolation concept – noting hot spots on the site that are contained by barriers, including nature and science, in the context of discussions around winding down the GTP process. Highlighted the Kentucky factory canvassed at the Community Forum, where the source area was contained by enclosure.

RESPONSE JS discussed evaluation of technologies and mathematical modelling as a tool to assess the benefits of addressing the source area.

Lynda Newnam

Noted the complexities arising from the infrastructure around Botany Park.

10. AGENDA ITEM # 10: ITEMS FOR NEXT OBLC MEETING Ian Colley Summarised the Items for inclusion on the next OBLC 2020 Meeting Agenda as follows:

1. Report / Presentation from Dr. Denis O’Carroll; 2. Update on the development proposal for Southlands (noting the pending outcomes

of the Botany Industrial Park Quantitative Risk Assessment); 3. Progress Report on MBBR; 4. Draft Policy documents on assurance policy and guidelines from the NSW EPA.

11. AGENDA ITEM # 11: OTHER BUSINESS Tony Vecellio

Requested information on Community feedback to Orica’s newsletter?

RESPONSE ET confirmed that there was not a lot of feedback received.

Tony Vecellio

Sought information in relation to proposal for a concrete batching plant to be built opposite Henley Field?

RESPONSE ET recommended discussion with Bayside Council.



Tony Vecellio

Sought further information about contamination of bore water and whether any of it is drinkable?

RESPONSE ET confirmed that there is still a ban on non-industrial use of bore water in the area.

John Burgess

Discussed contamination of the Botany Sands Aquifer as an ongoing issue.

Brian Troy Raised the issue of less recognition / awareness in the community over time, with suggested need for engagement with the wider Community to ensure that the legacy of information is not lost.

James Stening left the meeting at 6.58 pm. John Burgess

Discussed the documents on assurance policy and guidelines, expressing support for same (and lack of general awareness), highlighting the benefits of discussion at the next meeting.

12. AGENDA ITEM # 12: CLOSE OF MEETING There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 7.00 pm.

ACTION ITEM REGISTER Item Number Responsible Agenda Item ACTION Comments MATTERS ARSING FROM 10 MARCH 2020 OBLC MAR 20 #1 Orica / James

Stening BGC Project Update

To provide the Committee with a copy of the Strategy Review Workshop Summary Report when complete

OBLC MAR 20 #2 Orica BGC Project Update

To coordinate Dr Denis O’Carroll’s attendance and presentation to the next Committee Meeting

OBLC MAR 20 #3 Dr Denis O’Carroll

BGC Project Update

To prepare a plain English version of the Workshop findings, to document the overall context of the project and the long-term view for tabling with the Committee

OBLC MAR 20 #4 Matthew Hart / NSW EPA

NSW EPA Update

To provide additional information on the timeframe for containment of the mercury

MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS OBLC NOV 19 #2 E Barker To advise whether the EPA is considering

installation of another air quality monitoring station for general air quality monitoring

New action

OBLC NOV 19 # 4 J Betts To update the OBLC as needed on Groundwater Extraction Exclusion Area (GEEA) community communication

Deferred to next meeting

OBLC Nov 19 # 7 J Betts To advise on status of Sir Joseph Banks Park Master Plan.

Deferred to next meeting

ONGOING ACTIONS (carried forward to the new Committee) CPRC Nov06 #9 Orica Ongoing Ongoing agenda item on other HCB stockpile

contaminated soil at Botany, this will include discussion of potential treatment options and advising on any new HCB contaminated sites at Botany

CLC April08 #1 Orica Ongoing To update the GTP Management Flow Chart, as required

CLC Mar11#3 Orica Ongoing To provide the CLC with updates on plans for the use of the former ChlorAlkali Plant land following remediation

Dec13 #7 CoBB, Office of Water, NSW Health and the EPA

Ongoing To consider options for continuing to share information with residents about local contamination (e.g. in rates notices). In June 2014 the EPA noted updates to its website to improve access to information

OBLC Mar19#1 Crown Lands and Water,

Ongoing To update the OBLC as needed on Groundwater Extraction Exclusion Area (GEEA) community communication



NSW Health and EPA

BOTANY GROUNDWATER CLEANUP PROJECT UPDATE

10 MARCH 2020

JAMES STENING, SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIST

General

BGC Project Update

2

Objectives

Short term: hydraulic containment, ongoing identification of any changes to environmental or human health risks

Medium term: identify opportunities to improve efficiency as new/enhanced technologies emerge

Cumulative Groundwater Statistics

Approx volume of groundwater treated up to 31 December 2019

24,990 megalitres

Estimated total mass of CHCs destroyed up to 31 December 2019

1,477 tonnes

General

BGC Update Continued

3

Metric Reporting Period(01/10/2019 – 31/12/2019)

Estimated mass of contaminants destroyed

11 tonnes

Hydraulic containment Achieved

Surface water and groundwater monitoring

No data that change the conclusions of the Consolidated Human Health Risk Assessment

GTP stack discharges Full compliance

GTP influent concentration(average for period)

17 mg/L total CHCs

GTP treated water discharges All results compliant

GTP trade waste discharges Full compliance

General

4

Cleanup Performance

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

De

c-0

5

Jun

-06

De

c-0

6

Jun

-07

De

c-0

7

Jun

-08

De

c-0

8

Jun

-09

De

c-0

9

Jun

-10

De

c-1

0

Jun

-11

De

c-1

1

Jun

-12

De

c-1

2

Jun

-13

De

c-1

3

Jun

-14

De

c-1

4

Jun

-15

De

c-1

5

Jun

-16

De

c-1

6

Jun

-17

De

c-1

7

Jun

-18

De

c-1

8

Jun

-19

De

c-1

9

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Cu

mu

lati

ve M

as

s (

ton

ne

s)

Qu

art

erl

y M

as

s (

ton

ne

s)

MASS OF CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS DESTROYED

General

5

Recent & upcoming activities

• GTP continues to operate effectively

– Annual maintenance shutdown through March

• Revised Voluntary Management Plan has been approved by NSW EPA

• Biannual surface water and groundwater monitoring event in March

• 2020 Strategy Review Workshop

– 2 & 3 March at Botany Industrial Park

– 3 international experts, local & international consultants, NSW EPA, IMC rep.

• Dr Mike Kavanaugh, Dr Tamzen Macbeth, Dr Kurt Pennell

– Followed by Community Forum on 4 March

General

6

Work arising from 2017 Strategy Review

• Letter report from Geosyntec Consultants on outcomes of their column studies and related DNAPL characterisation and contaminant mass transport work

– Issued and presented to 2020 Workshop participants

– Indications of natural attenuation in the aquifer due to

• biological and abiotic degradation processes, and

• sorption and diffusion into low-permeability layers

• Hydraulic capture assessment using US EPA Six-Step Capture Zone Analysis

– NSW EPA reviewing report

• Source Zone Remediation Options Assessment prepared by Golder

– Issued and presented to 2020 Workshop participants

– None of the suggested technologies is considered feasible at this stage

General

7

2020 Workshop – Key Findings• Current containment strategy remains appropriate; meeting objectives

• No new technological breakthroughs for source or plume that merit trials

• Transition decision endpoints under active investigation and discussion

• Adaptive management strategy consistent with best practices internationally

• Continue assessments of benefits of source removal and GTP optimization

• Further evaluation of natural attenuation processes in groundwater and static zones is appropriate

General

8

2020 Workshop – Key Findings• Source-plume response is complex; evaluation of primary and secondary

sources is essential for predicting treatment response

• Conduct additional assessments to understand removal due to GTP, in situ degradation processes, sorption, diffusion

• Refine estimates of assimilation capacity

• Consider mathematical modelling of source zone and groundwater plume evolution

• Degradation processes critical to long-term management and remediation

– Monitor and quantify attenuation capacity of the aquifer

– Enhanced biodegradation of mass in highly-sorptive, low permeability media

Orica Botany Liaison Committee (OBLC) Meeting

Documents

Transcript of Orica Botany Liaison Committee (OBLC) Meeting