Environmental assessment work underway at former fuel terminal site in Wickham NSW

Mobil previously owned and operated the former fuel terminal located within the Portside Business Park, Wickham NSW, Australia. The land was historically contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater.

The land was sold to Drayton Burke Constructions Pty Ltd on 24 December 1997. Drayton Burke commissioned an environmental statutory audit completed in 21 December 2000 which concluded that the site was suitable for commercial industrial use.

The audit included a condition that groundwater monitoring continue until such time as it is demonstrated that no contaminated groundwater will migrate from the site which would give risk to a significant risk of harm to persons or the environment.

The monitoring of groundwater included petroleum hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (referred to as BTEX), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).

Records available today, over 20 years later, indicate that the post-remediation groundwater monitoring was partially completed (August 2000), however records could not be located for any period beyond this.

As Mobil previously owned and operated the fuel terminal it is cooperatively working with NSW EPA to understand the current condition of the groundwater, assess groundwater quality to current guidelines values and undertake any further investigation required to address the audit recommendation.

Mobil will be installing a number of additional groundwater monitoring wells in the former terminal site to better understand whether there are any potential hydrocarbon impacts that may be related to the terminal. We are communicating with businesses and residents who live next to the former terminal site to advise them of the works.

Drinking water in the area is through a reticulated water supply and therefore there is no identified impacts to drinking water.  Water supplied via the local drinking water mains supply and rainwater tanks will not be affected by this issue.

There are, and have historically been, a number of hydrocarbon storage premises located in the vicinity of the Wickham Terminal.  We are working closely with the EPA NSW to identify and address any impacts that may be attributable to Mobil’s former terminal.

More information is available in the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) section below.

FAQs

What should I expect to see happening?

Mobil is currently investigating the historic contamination in groundwater close to the former fuel distribution terminal in Wickham.

Mobil will be installing a number of additional groundwater monitoring wells to better understand whether there are any potential impacts to groundwater in the local area. 

Installation of new bores will be predominately located within roadways, nature strip and carpark areas with minimal disturbance to adjacent businesses. A traffic management plan will be in place and communicated with businesses to minimize disturbance.

Drinking water in the area is through a reticulated water supply and therefore there is no identified impacts to drinking water.  Mobil are assessing the possible impacts on groundwater which is located around 1.5 – 2.0 meters below ground.

How long has this been a problem? Why are you only investigating now?

NSW EPA is following up on historic audit recommendations and identified that post-remediation monitoring for groundwater cannot be identified as being completed at the former Wickham Terminal.

As the original owner of the site, Mobil Oil Australia (divested in 1997) is working cooperatively with NSW EPA to understand current condition of the groundwater, assess groundwater quality to current guidelines values and undertake any further investigation required.

What contaminants may be present?

The monitoring of groundwater will be focused on petroleum hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (referred to as BTEX), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Where has petroleum hydrocarbon been detected?

Historic groundwater monitoring from August 2000 will be examined to identify potential hotspots which will be targeted for installation of additional groundwater bores and sampling.

Please refer to Appendix A of this package for previously known hotspots detected in October 2000.

What products containing petroleum hydrocarbons were used at the former Wickham Terminal?

The site was formerly used for storage and distribution of petroleum products such as petrol and diesel.

How does exposure to petroleum hydrocarbon occur?

Exposure can occur via vapour intrusion through soil or water matrices or from direct contact/exposure of the soil and groundwater. During the development works of the industrial park, capping of the surface soils was completed to prevent vapour intrusion into buildings or nearby areas. Capping includes installation of a clay liner approximately 0.5 meters below ground level, followed by a hard surface such as concrete or bitumen. Capping also assists in the prevention of direct contact and access to underlying groundwater and/or soil.


How will Mobil manage/remediate the site?

Mobil will continue to engage with the NSW EPA and other relevant stakeholders to develop an appropriate assessment plan and a longer term management plan (if required) once we better understand the potential impacts of the findings.

Is there a concern with respect to drinking water at the site?

There are no concerns about the safety of drinking water at the Portside Business Park.  

Drinking water supplies at the site and the surrounding area are sourced from the potable water supply. 

Is there a concern for the wider community with respect to this investigation?

While there is no immediate concern with respect to this investigation, Mobil will undertake a detailed assessment of the results to determine what, if any, further actions may be required

At this stage, Mobil is undertaking environmental investigations which include groundwater, monitoring on the site.

Has petroleum hydrocarbon been found on land outside of the site?

Mobil is installing a number of additional groundwater monitoring wells to better understand whether there are any potential impacts to groundwater in Portside Business Park.

We are working closely with the NSW EPA to identify and address any impacts that may be attributable to our former terminal.

What are the next steps that Mobil will undertake as part of this investigation?

Mobil will continue its sampling program and analysis to understand the nature and extent of any petroleum hydrocarbon in the local groundwater 

We will share those results with NSW EPA and work with them to develop an appropriate assessment plan and a longer term management plan (if required) once we better understand the potential impacts of the findings.

Who should I talk to if I have concerns?

You can contact Mobil Oil Australia via email at CommunityAnz@exxonmobil.com.

You can contact NSW EPA on info@epa.nsw.gov.au or 131 555.