THE legacy of contamination from poor past decisions is a step closer to a solution as a result of state government funding.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An initial grant of $150,000 to the Mid North Coast Regional Organisation of Councils will help in developing contaminated land policies, site registers and to advise on remediation projects.
Environment Minister Rob Stokes announced the funding in Port Macquarie on Monday.
He said the funding provided councils with the technical support they needed to compile a register of contaminated site locations, identify the contamination issues involved and how best to plan for remediation.
"Contamination creates anxiety and it also sterilises opportunity for growth," he said.
The project spans member councils from Coffs Harbour to Gloucester including Port Macquarie-Hastings.
Mr Stokes said $150,000 bought a lot of technical support when a cooperative approach meant that resource could be deployed across the region.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said the Mid-North Coast was renowned for its natural beauty.
"It is important that we really make sure we focus on where sites have been contaminated in the past and bring them back to pristine condition," she said.
The funding will support the employment of a full-time technical specialist.
The expert will be employed for an initial one-year contract with extension each year to a maximum of three years.
Mid North Coast Regional Organisation of Councils chair Cr Liz Campbell said the group identified the opportunity to lodge a joint submission.
"We all have some sort of sites that do have contamination," she said.
"The environmental aspect of how we look after the land is vital for this area."
Contamination on the Mid-North Coast includes former tip sites, disused service station land and an old antimony mine.