Inner West councillors call for investigation of contamination at WestConnex St Peters interchange park

A council has called for an ‘investigation’ into a contaminated site slated as future parklands and recently used for the WestConnex project. One councillor says the clean up bill could cost taxpayers millions.

Inner West councillors are calling for a full investigation into how a park, used by contractors working on the WestConnex project, became contaminated and want the government to foot the clean up bill.

Independent councillor Pauline Lockie said the state government needed to find another green space for Sydney’s inner west suburbs after the St Peters park, previously flagged as future recreation space, began to show signs of landfill contamination.

The park was to be returned to council as lush new parklands once the $16 billion WestConnex project wrapped up at the nearby interchange.

The land in question. Picture: Adam Yip

“Our community was promised this parkland by the NSW government as compensation for the impact WestConnex has had, and continues to have, on our local area,” Cr Lockie said.

“Instead, we’ve been left with a mess.”

The council has previously said it would refuse to take responsibility for the interchange park after it found parts of it “highly contaminated”.

Inner West councillor Pauline Lockie. Picture: AAP/Matthew Vasilescu

The 2.5ha site is currently being used by contractors to build tunnels into Haberfield as part of the WestConnex project, before being returned to Inner West Council as a recreational parkland.

As of last October, council hadn’t decided if it would accept the handover of the park.

The state government had also planned to give extra hectares of parkland on the other side of the interchange back to the council.

“(The clean up bill) could run into the millions, depending on the level of remediation that’s required,” Cr Lockie said.

“It’s definitely not a cost that should be borne by council and our ratepayers, given this is a state government project.”

At a council meeting on Tuesday, environmental chemist Charlie Pierce called the site “an environmental nightmare” and said the council should never take ownership of it.

The St Peters interchange. Picture: Adam Yip

However, a Transport for NSW spokesman said the site would be “safe and enjoyable” when offered to Inner West Council.

“Contamination of land at the St Peter’s Interchange is a legacy from the past and is not a direct result of construction activities,” he said.

“After assessment of the site, major remediation work was undertaken as part of the WestConnex project to address contamination issues and meet Environmental Protection Authority requirements.

“This type of remediation work is common across Sydney and has enabled some well-used public spaces, including at nearby Sydney Park.

“A small area of the land at St Peters Interchange remains closed while Transport for NSW works with WestConnex and their contractor to restore landscaping previously impacted by heavy rain.”

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