This was published 7 years ago
Soil tests into possible northside toxic contamination begin
By Tony Moore
Soil tests for toxic material which may leaking from an old tip – or a nearby "untreated chemical pit" behind Dakabin State High School on Brisbane's northside - will begin next week by environmental consultants, Advisian.
Advisian is an international geotechnical, decommission and restoration company with an office in Brisbane.
Poison poultry scandal: Long-term Dakabin resident Alan Williams says leaching water must be tested.Credit: Tony Moore
The soil tests are the first step of an inquiry ordered last week by Moreton Bay mayor Alan Sutherland.
Advisian was named on Thursday by Moreton Bay Regional Council after reports last week by Fairfax Media about possible leaks from one of a number of old chemical pits in April and May 2013 that older residents tell were built around the old Dakabin dump a long time ago.
What killed these chickens? Poisoned poultry scandal at Dakabin, Red Plymouth Rock hens and rooster dead.Credit: Tony Moore
The complaints were first reported to both Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection in around May 2013.
While testing will be carried out at Bob Brock Park at Dakabin, it is still unclear if any soil tests were carried out on any alleged old chemical pits around the old tip itself after the original complaint.
The owner of the one Marsden Road property near the old tip, vigorously denies allegations an old chemical pit was found on the boundary of her property – and the next door property - when trees were being cleared in April and May 2013.
The company, Ryan's Mulching, was contracted to clear trees from that Marsden Road property in May 2013.
Poisoned poultry: Seepage from what residents say was a dump site at Dakabin.Credit: Tony Moore
Darren Ryan, from Ryan's Mulching told Fairfax Media on October 6, 2016, one of his contractors, "Terry" had told him about a "big hoo ha" which had erupted when neighbours protested as he cleared trees from the block in May 2013.
He said one neighbor, Alan Williams – who told his story to Fairfax Media last week - told the contracted driver, "Terry" he had seen his dozer take the top off an old pit, which released bad fumes.
"All my operator told me was that he had driven into a chemical pit," Mr Ryan told Fairfax Media.
Mr Ryan has offered to contact the contractor.
Moreton Bay Regional Council mayor Alan Sutherland last week confirmed the Dakabin site, further uphill, was an old tip and confirmed an inquiry would go ahead.
"Following an initial investigation I ordered, we determined this area to be a former landfill site that was operated by the former Pine Rivers Shire Council more than a decade ago," Cr Sutherland said.
Advisian will begin soil tests next week, a Moreton Regional Council spokeswoman said.
It is still unclear – at this stage – if the inquiry plans to look for the alleged old chemical pits, according to the information released by Moreton Bay Council on Thursday.
"The investigation will focus on the area of the former landfill site at Bob Brock Park and will involve soil testing," the council spokeswoman said.
"The results of the testing will determine whether further action is required."
The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection received a complaint in 2013 and has last week discussed the toxic leak inquiry with the Moreton Bay Regional Council.
"EHP is aware that the council is taking appropriate steps to investigate claims of contamination at Bob Brock Park and council has committed to keeping EHP informed of its investigation," a spokesman for Environment Minister Steven Miles said.
"Should Council's investigation reveal contamination at the park, EHP will consider whether the land should be listed on EHP's Environmental Management Register and whether any specific management or remediation actions are necessary to prevent any further environmental harm.
How can the public help
People with information can contact the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection's pollution hotline on 1300 130 372.
The council has asked anyone with information to contact the council on 5433 2263 or 3205 0555 or mbrc@moretonbay.qld.gov.au.