After more than a century, contaminated land at Hunters Hill will be cleaned up as a result of the NSW Government securing approval for the waste to be sent overseas.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the Government's proposal to dispose of the contaminate soil in Idaho, United States, had received overwhelming support from the hundreds of submissions received from the local community and Hunters Hill Council during the recent public exhibition period of the proposal.
"This proposal is the culmination of years of extensive and complex investigation to find the best solution for the community and I'm pleased we have finally reached an agreement," Mr Stokes said.
"The Hunters Hill site has a legacy of radiological and chemical contamination from industrial activity in the late 1800s to early 1900s and we needed to clean up the land but also find a suitable location to send the waste.
"This safe and secure plan will mean these waterfront properties, which have laid dormant for decades, can now be used once the waste is safely moved away."
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said the health and safety of the community would be the number one priority during site remediation works and the transportation of the material.
"The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) will supervise the excavation and packing of the contaminated material into sealed bags and containers prior to transport to the USA," Mrs Pavey said.
"This will ensure the safe removal of legacy contamination that has been present at Nelson Parade for over a century. This is a modern solution to a 100 year old problem."
Member for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts said the decision would be welcomed by local residents who've lived through a lot of uncertainty.
"The contaminated waste has caused a lot of stress over the decades, so this is a big win for local people and I'm glad we've finally arrived at an outcome that deals with this issue once and for all," Mr Roberts said.
