More Olympic site contamination
By Trish Corcoran
SYDNEY — The November 5 Sydney Morning Herald described another discovery of toxic waste at the Homebush Bay Olympics site, this time on the site of the former Lidcombe Hospital, which is the planned "media village" for the 2000 games.
A report prepared for the Olympic Coordination Authority (OCA) stated that the area had previously been used for burial of boiler ash wastes from incinerators, construction of underground fuel tanks, flammable liquid stores, electrical substations and two garbage tips.
As well, an air raid shelter has been used to store radioactive material. According to the report, the shelter has been cleaned.
Soil tests indicate potential contamination by toxic chemicals and heavy metals. The report concludes that the potential health risk is low. The biggest risk is direct contact with soil — considered unlikely to affect media personnel.
However, the biggest risk is to workers on the site. In the section headed "Construction Workers", the report states: "The potential for exposure to site-related contaminants is considered to be low because: the activities associated with the excavations will only involve a short period of time during the redevelopment; all materials excavated will be sampled and analysed prior to excavation, then removed from the site following excavation; all construction workers will work under appropriate safe working practices required for construction activities under the New South Wales Occupational Health and Safety Act; and the identified soil contamination is not likely to be widespread, but limited to isolated areas of fill on the site."
Contradicting the last point, a report prepared by Woodward-Clyde, the OCA's environmental consultant, says that the number of soil samples was not sufficient to provide quality assessment across the whole site.
The building on the site is to be refurbished and used to accommodate students of Sydney University Cumberland College and Lidcombe TAFE prior to housing the media during the games. There is also a child-care centre and quadriplegic centre at the location.
One of the main concerns during excavation and construction is the dust generated and wind erosion of exposed areas.
The time deadlines on this work mean that the clean-up may be rushed and inadequate, endangering the workers involved.