Gas detected on former Port Sorell Tip site near 75-lot subdivision

The property developers behind a subdivision in the state’s northwest are confident the detection of a hazardous material on its land will not impact its project.

Land Sales Tasmania Land Sales and Subdivision Manager Peter King. Picture: Supplied

When property development company Jochro Pty Ltd – a Land Sales Tasmania subsidiary – bought land at the former site of the Port Sorell Tip, little did it know that part of it had methane gas underneath it.

When the company learned about it, its Land Sales and Subdivision Manager – Peter King – described it as “frustrating, to say the least.”

“It was never part of the plan when we purchased the land,” Mr King said.

“I dare say it was not known to the Latrobe Council at the time that there were going to be some issues.

“A lot of other tip areas and recyclable areas do put venting in during their construction and fill.

“In this case, it wasn’t done – but there’s no legal reason you have to do it.

“But, obviously, the methane is just going through underneath – through the water table – and popping up at the nearest point of relief.”

As a result, Mr King said that part of the land could not be developed.

“We did our very first stage of Shearwater at Club Drive; there were probably only 15, 16 lots.

“And then we finished and we hoped to continue on through there, but we haven’t been able to because of these issues.”

“It’s been five years of not being able to do any development there at all.”

An aerial view of Lot 19 Burgess Drive at Shearwater, which is set to be turned into a subdivision. Picture: Supplied

Jochro has a development application before the council for a 75-lot subdivision on Burgess Drive at Shearwater.

It is on the same parcel of land where the methane was detected but is further south of it.

In 2023, the council engaged contractors to locate capping material at the old Port Sorell Tip site.

“All landfill sites are a potential source of hazardous waste, and as such, the council has engaged subject matter experts as a key component of our efforts to identify and quantify the extent of the former regional waste disposal site at Port Sorell and related issues,” Latrobe Mayor Peter Freshney said.

“The material was found to be suitable for capping but, unfortunately, not in sufficient quantity to cap the entire site.

“Additional material would have to be sourced if capping is ultimately required to remediate the site.”

The former Port Sorell Tip site. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Freshney said the council had no plans to remove the hazardous material, as it “would be problematic, financially prohibitive, and impracticable.”

“Council has initiated engagement with, and informed, the Environmental Protection Authority of our actions and test results to date and it is the EPA who will ultimately sign off on and approve the rehabilitation method proposed for the site.

“Landfill gas and leachate monitoring sites have been established around and within the impacted area, and analysis of results is a continuing priority.

“Community engagement has been a key component of council’s response thus far, and that engagement will continue periodically as the project and potential rehabilitation options continue to evolve.”

Regarding the current development application before the council, Mr Freshney said any potential implications of building near the disused landfill site would need to be considered.