Empire Bay Marina: Report reveals high levels of contamination

A report has revealed the extent of contamination at Empire Bay Marina. Meanwhile a community campaign to save the boat shed has hit 690 hours of donated labour.

A report into Empire Bay Marina has revealed high levels of contamination, however the community campaign to save the iconic site pushes on.

The State Government commissioned report into the heritage listed marina showed high levels of heavy metals, asbestos and antifouling agents.

“A detailed site investigation was conducted by Douglas Partners who tested the soil, sediment and groundwater at the former marina,” Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch said.

“The testing has confirmed elevated levels of heavy metals, antifouling agents and hydrocarbons, as well as asbestos and acid sulfate soils. The likely sources of these include fuel, oil and lead-based paint.

Mr Crouch said Crown Lands was liaising with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on the findings with further actions to be carried out to ensure the site is safe.

Last September, the State Government revoked the Empire Bay Marina private operator’s licence over safety and compliance breaches.

This led to the launch of a community Facebook page to save the much loved icon.

“Save our Heritage listed Empire Bay Boat Shed” hopes to salvage the 100-year-old boat shed, one of the few remaining from when ship building was a major industry on Brisbane Water.

Empire Bay barber Errol Baker, who started the local campaign, told the Express that there were no surprises in the latest report which revealed the use of lead based paints.

“Lead based paint was eliminated in the 1980s and the shed has been operating since 1921,” he said.

Aerial view of Empire Bay Boat Shed. Picture: supplied

“That’s 80 years of lead based paint usage. The report states that lead contaminants are around 60cm into the mud, so that’s how much would have to be removed. That’s not surprising.

“The report also says that fuel tanks are not a major contributor to the pollution which is not looking as bad as first thought. On a positive it recommends the park area nearby be used for public use.”

Mr Baker said he had received a lot of support since starting the campaign to save the shed.

“We have local builders, carpenters, electricians and roofers willing to donate 690 hours of their time to help restore the shed,” he said.

“The community want it. If we lose it, it will never come back, it’s 100 years ago and the last boat shed in Brisbane Water.”

Mr Baker said the ideal situation would be a funding grant from the State Government towards the work.

Errol Baker says there were no surprises in the latest contamination findings. Picture: Troy Snook)

Water, Property and Housing Minister Melinda Pavey said the report recommended remediation of the former marina site including the decommissioning and removal of the fuel tanks.

“It also recommends further testing and analysis be undertaken to assess any potential impacts on the environment”, Mrs Pavey said.

“Crown Lands will complete the additional assessments prior to making a final decision on the future of the site.”

She said a decision on the future of the marina would look at the significance of contamination, remediation requirements, the scale and cost of structural repairs, building and environmental safety, and other factors like access, parking, planning and heritage requirements.”

Empire Bay Marina started in 1921 from the heritage timber boatshed and has been operated continuously by the Velleman Family since 1983.