Former Anambah Landfill monitoring and remediation

Maitland City Council is seeking community feedback on and working with independent contaminated land consultant GHD on future uses and a remediation action plan for the former landfill site at Anambah Road, Rutherford.

Current situation

Maitland City Council owns the previously operated the former Anambah landfill site, located on Anambah Road, Rutherford.

The former landfill site operated between 1976 and 1993. Council is now focusing on the next steps for the site's management, which include planning for remediation and selecting a preferred future land use.

A report presented to the Council on 27 February 2024 outlines a pathway for the future remediation of the site.

The recommended option balances the impact of remediation on surrounding residents while mitigating environmental effects caused by the unremediated state.

The proposed future reuse involves a combination of commercial light industrial and solar farm options. The plan includes capping the remaining site and establishing a solar farm on top.

The proposed reuse option has potential to generate revenue to offset remediation costs.

A feasibility study is recommended to explore ground improvement within the south western portion of the site for light industrial/commercial development.

Council continues to work with GHD to assist with the community consultation as well as ongoing environmental investigations, remediation activities and reporting.

Community consultation on the proposed future use by completing the survey before 22 July 2024.

Engaging with adjacent landowners and residents

Council has appointed specialist engagement consultants GHD to manage the project and is committed to informing adjacent landowners and residents and surrounding areas about investigations at the site and will provide regular updates.

Council is offering briefings to any interested community members neighbouring the landfill, to provide more information and to seek feedback on the project.

Council and GHD encourage the community to make enquiries or share feedback by phone or email.

Call GHD

Email GHD

FAQs

Maitland City Council owns and previously operated, the former Anambah Landfill site, located on Anambah Road, Rutherford. It is a historic landfill site which operated from 1976 – 1993.
Landfill sites usually generate landfill gases, such as methane, in a natural process as the waste inside breaks down, this can occur for decades after the landfill is closed. This site is no exception and these gases are naturally leaving the landfill.
Monitoring indicates that landfill gas is migrating from the landfill to the east of the site onto the adjoining vacant land, and in the proximity of some of the nearby residences.
As the site owner, Council is responsible for managing landfill gas generation and migration. The site has been under routine monitoring and environmental maintenance to understand landfill gas levels and the extent of any gas migration from the site.
Council is committed to keeping residents informed about activities at the site.
Properties closest to the impacted parts of the site include Cagney Avenue, Aaron Cove and Signature Gardens Retirement Resort.
Council resolved on 24 March 2020 that the Anambah site will not be used for the park and sportsground project due to the longer term environmental challenges. Pending the outcome of current investigations, the funds will be transferred to the Weblands Street Sports Complex project to deliver district level active and passive recreation facilities in the western precinct.
No, they are not at risk. As these areas are open spaces there is no risk of gas building up.
The former landfill site is closed and fenced off. It is only accessible to Council staff and consultants.
Gas can build up in enclosed spaces. Because the former landfill site and adjoining vacant land is an open space, the risk of landfill gas impacting upon people using the land is very low.
Regular monitoring activities will continue on the former landfill site and adjacent land as investigations continue.
Importantly, Council believes that the risk of landfill gas impacting upon backyards is low, as even if landfill gas reached there, it is unlikely that that it would be able to accumulate in an enclosed space. Council will confirm this is the case by undertaking surface monitoring and testing monitoring bores that have been placed on and around the former landfill site.
As part of the ongoing environmental management of the former Anambah Landfill site, Council undertakes routine subsurface gas monitoring on the site and adjoining land., and any other area that may require monitoring as part of the investigations.
The well-being of our community is our top priority. While Council believes the risk of landfill gas entering residential properties is low, we would like to confirm that this is the case. As such, we are continuing to monitor landfill ground gas migration on the site and adjoining vacant land to prepare baseline studies to support a remediation action plan for the site.
Gas builds up in enclosed spaces. Because the former landfill site and adjoining vacant land is an open space, the risk of landfill gas impacting upon people using the land is very low. Recent gas monitoring on the surface of the site and adjoining vacant land showed that levels of methane were well below EPA guidance values.
For example, the EPA guidance value (assessment criteria for surface emissions) is 500 parts per million and recent readings offsite have been between two and three parts per million.
Within buildings the EPA guidance value is 10,000 parts per million. Recent monitoring has been undertaken within a house and a small shed at Signature Gardens, and landfill gases were not detected.
Recent monitoring has been undertaken within a house and a small shed at Signature gardens, and landfill gases were not detected.
Council believes the risk of landfill gas entering properties is low, and the ongoing gas monitoring program will confirm this. In the event landfill gas nearby or in your home is found to exceed NSW EPA guidance values, we will discuss what is needed to address the immediate issue. An initial action may include increasing ventilation in the affected area(s). Ongoing mitigation measures will be discussed on a case by case basis.
It is common for old landfills to be closed and re-established with residential properties developing around them. The ongoing gas monitoring is to confirm what Council believes would be a low risk. By taking this action, local residents can be confident that Council is proactively managing the issue.
The guidance values are determined by the NSW EPA. They are described in the Solid Waste Landfill Guidelines (2016).
There are a number of sources available online about methane and carbon dioxide – the two main gases created in a landfill as the waste breaks down. The main concern is if these gases accumulate at very high concentrations in an enclosed space the methane can ignite, or oxygen can be displaced. The displacement of oxygen can cause difficulty breathing. If you are worried you could also contact your local GP. Ventilation can usually assist mitigating these risks. These gases are not toxic and they do not build up in your body.
It is common for old landfills to be closed and re-established with residential properties developing around them. The ongoing gas monitoring is to confirm what Council believes would be a low risk. By taking this action, local residents can be confident that their homes and their families are safe. Additional information on landfill sites and gases can be found on the NSW EPA website.
No. Methane and carbon dioxide do not build up in the human body. They mainly present a risk if they accumulate in an enclosed space where there is inadequate ventilation.
Council will continue to investigate and develop a remediation strategy, with an EPA accredited auditor appointed to oversee the process. Remediation will be undertaken to allow beneficial and sustainable use of the former landfill site in the longer term.
The community will be kept informed of key updates through Council's social media and website. The surrounding residents will be regularly updated and closely consulted throughout this process.
We are implementing an engagement program while further testing and monitoring is being completed. Part of this engagement includes:
Liaising directly with local residents via phone and/or face to face visits.
Providing written updates to the local community.
Providing a dedicated free call number for local residents to use.
Council has informed the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) of what was found and is working with them to develop an approach to further investigate and remediate the site.
Council will continue to investigate and develop a remediation strategy, with an EPA accredited auditor appointed to oversee the process.
You can contact us through:
Phone: 1800 066 243
Email: Contact@ghd.com
In person: Members of our project team will be inviting the local residents to meet with them in person or via video conferencing to discuss the project and any concerns they may have in relation to the former landfill site and adjoining vacant land.

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LAST UPDATED 26 JUN 2024

Former Anambah Landfill monitoring and remediation

Current situation

Engaging with adjacent landowners and residents

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FAQs