Canberra Airport land contamination

Challenge

Over a four year period from 2009 to 2013, 420 million dollars was invested into the redevelopment of the Canberra Airport terminal, and the surrounding infrastructure. The development included new roads, new car parks, a new terminal building and new aircraft parking aprons.

Before this development could take place, large areas of land had to be excavated and prepared for the construction of the terminal.

During the preliminary excavations, jet fuel (hydrocarbon) contamination was encountered, which was subsequently determined to be a result of a historic fuel farm located within the terminal footprint.

To enable the development to progress, the land required an assessment to determine the extent of the contamination, and an appropriate remedial strategy developed in order to recommence the construction activity in the area.

Solution

Site Supervision

Following the development of an appropriate soil management and Occupational Health and Safety Strategy, SLR supervised the uncovering and appropriate removal of the fuel farms redundant pipes.

Underground Storage Tank Validation (UST)

During site excavation works, an old UST was unearthed. SLR provided validation of the soil following the appropriate removal of the tank.

Detailed Site Investigation

The Phase 2 investigation comprised a limited desk top study including regulatory database and historical searches, historical aerial image interpretation, building survey and service plans and an intrusive soil and groundwater sampling program.

Waste Classification

SLR conducted a number of investigations, which included stockpiled soil and in-situ sampling to assess the potential reuse of the sampled soils within the airport site itself.