Buckleys Hole Conservation Park - remediation project

Moreton Bay Regional Council will be implementing asbestos remediation works within Buckleys Hole Conservation Park and adjacent road reserve of The Boulevard, Bongaree.

These works have been triggered by the discovery of historic, illegally dumped construction waste including significant amounts of asbestos. Council has been working with the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science and suitably qualified contaminated land consultants to prepare a remediation plan for the area.

This remediation plan will be implemented to manage the human health risk posed by the asbestos containing material (ACM). The remediation plan includes removal and/or capping of ACM across the site.

Asbestos Remediation  

Asbestos containing material (ACM) including both bonded and friable asbestos has been observed at varying depths and concentrations along the embankment that runs from the intersection of Brake Street and The Boulevard to the Buckleys Hole Track entrance. 

To implement the State Government approved remediation plan, this area has been broken into two management areas, based on several site constraints including:

  • concentration of ACM
  • health and extent of the native vegetation
  • mature trees
  • gradient of the embankment
  • beach access.

Stair access closure

Due to the location of the identified ACM and remediation works, the stair access track located opposite 15 The Boulevard has been temporarily closed.  The stairs will be re-instated following conclusion of the ACM remediation works. 

Beach access via the Buckleys Hole Track entrance, located opposite the intersection of The Boulevard and McDonald Street has remained open to residents and visitors.

Location

Buckleys Hole Conservation Park, The Boulevard, Bongaree 4507  View map

Google Map

Discussions
Map with location of works - beside the Boulevard at Buckleys Hole

Area A

The remediation plan for this area will involve the following:

Asbestos removal

  • Brush cut all vegetation, excluding mature trees - all mature trees will remain as is
  • Herbicide control of all weeds and exotic grasses
  • Raking of the top 300mm of soil with an excavator and hand raking
  • Air quality monitoring
  • All asbestos and construction waste removed and disposed.

Fencing

  • The area will be closed to all public access during the asbestos removal works
  • After the asbestos removal works, most of the existing fencing will be re-instated
  • The boundary fence between Area A and Area B will be upgraded.

Signage

  • Signage about the importance of staying off the vegetation will be installed
  • Signage will be installed at the entry points, corners and every 50m along the fencing.

Revegetation

  • Jute matting and native vegetation will be re-established to assist with embankment stability and erosion control.

Area B

The asbestos concentration in this area is extensive and accordingly, the remediation plan for this area is more stringent to meet the requirements of the State Government’s Department of Environment and Science. The remediation plan for this area will involve the following:

Asbestos removal

  • Brush cut all vegetation, excluding mature trees - all mature trees will remain as is
  • Herbicide control of all weeds and exotic grasses
  • Raking of the top 100mm of soil with an excavator and hand raking within the tree protection zones of mature trees
  • Air quality monitoring
  • All asbestos and construction waste removed and disposed.

Fencing

  • The area will be closed to all public access during the asbestos removal works
  • After the asbestos removal, public access will only be permitted via the stair access
  • After the asbestos removal works a 1.2m chain-link security fence will be installed
  • The boundary between Area A and Area B will have a 1.2m chain-link security fence installed with a Colourbond base strip
  • A locked gate access will remain for authorised personnel only to allow annual inspections and maintenance works as required.

Signage

  • Signage about the importance of staying off the vegetation and informing of the presence of asbestos will be installed
  • Signage will be installed at the entry points, corners and every 50m along the fencing

Revegetation

  • Mulch and jute matting, and native vegetation (tube stock) will be re-established to assist with embankment stability and erosion
  • Following revegetation, Council officers will regularly inspect the area and maintain the vegetation to ensure establishment.

Flora

Vegetation is critical to the stabilisation of the embankment in this area and the capping works, to minimise exposure of ACM buried deep in the ground. This project has been developed to minimise the impact on native vegetation and maximise retention of mature trees. 

Unfortunately, some illegal vegetation clearing has been observed which has impacted the stability of the embankment. The existing native vegetation and the revegetated areas of this project will be continually monitored to ensure that the required vegetation is maintained.

Fauna

Buckleys Hole Conservation Park is known to be home to numerous native fauna species and is recognised as nationally important habitat for migratory shorebirds.  Fortunately, the project is located away from the main areas of the water body that the migratory shorebirds largely use.

Timeline

Investigation

Completed

Permits and approvals

In progress

Commencement

TBC

Contact details

Project officer
(07) 3205 0555
mbrc@moretonbay.qld.gov.au
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