Ventia worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support community engagement during the clean-up of several soil-contaminated properties in Melbourne's West.
Maribyrnong City Council discovered lead and other contaminants in the area's soil and conducted a risk assessment of several properties in Footscray, leading to the Leigh Street remediation project.
The contamination probably originated from the filling of a quarry with industrial waste in the early 1900s. Understandably, residents of the area were concerned for their families' health and safety.
Four properties were identified as needing soil removal. Remediation produces dust, odour, noise and vibration, and would impact neighbouring properties.
Keeping the community informed
We appointed a community relations manager to work jointly with the EPA on communications and engagement activities with residents. This included developing fact sheets, notifications of activity and signage. A hotline was set up for residents to express concerns and ask questions.
Remediation was successful, and after being open and transparent with residents, we received very few complaints.