Project details: 

APP Manages the Remediation of the Former BHP Site in Newcastle

For more than 130 years, BHP produced steel, copper and other smelted products from this major site in Newcastle, and with BHP’s departure, the Hunter Development Authority was given the responsibility of remediating the site.

To achieve this the Authority appointed APP to manage the Stage 2 contracts for the 52ha site, which involves significant earthworks to provide a surface capping, as well as piped and open drainage works, demolition, rail line installation and a sewage pumping station.

The site was declared a Contaminated Site and a staged Remediation Plan was put in place which split the site into two areas. Area 1 contains the most significant contamination on the site associated with the activities of the former steelworks.

Area 2 – which has required APP’s involvement – is comparatively less contaminated. The strategy for the site remediation is based principally on containment. The remediation works include site grading to improve drainage and the installation of a low permeability cap. A new rail line across the site was also constructed as part of the works.

There are four stages to the Area 2 project - Early Works, Rail Works, Main Works and Sewer Works. The remediation project is due for completion in late 2012.