The massive clean-up of the Maribyrnong defence site could finally begin, almost two decades after Defence decided to offload it.
The federal government placed a listing on its Austender website on Friday seeking expressions of interest in remediating the 127-hectare site over the next three to five years.
Negotiations to sell the site to state government developer Places Victoria, started in 2009, are due to be finalised this year.
Defence has indicated it is committed to remediating the site regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, and despite assessments showing it could cost up to $300 million.
The former horse-racing stud was acquired by the Commonwealth between 1908 and 1917, and developed into a major explosives and armaments manufacturing centre.
The site, which includes more than 500 buildings, was identified as surplus to Defence requirements in 1997 and slated for disposal.
The tender document notes the site is significantly contaminated and will require substantial cleaning up “to ensure the protection of human health and the environment”.
Assessments of more than 7000 soil samples since 2001 have uncovered more than 600 chemicals per sample, in some instances.
Of almost 1000 groundwater samples taken, extensive contamination was found to have occurred as a result of past activities and management practices.
The tender document notes the clean-up will be one of the largest and most complex ever undertaken in Australia due to the site’s size, its sensitive location next to the Maribyrnong River, its heritage significance and the built infrastructure that remains there, as well as “other complexities … associated with the broad range of contamination risks relating to explosives, chemicals and other hazardous material”.
“The long and sometimes incomplete site history has resulted in uncertainty as to the activities conducted in some areas,” it notes.
Maribyrnong mayor Cameron McDonald said while remediation is important, future uses of the site must be carefully assessed, not just “fitting in as many houses as they can”.
Cr McDonald wants to see the site include offices and sites for small trade as well as adequate open space and community infrastructure.
A Defence spokesperson said the invitation to register listed on AusTender is the first stage of the two-stage process to engage a remediation contractor.
“This first stage seeks to create a shortlist of companies for a future tender process. No further action will take place until formal government consideration and approval is granted.”
All future stages of the project remain subject to Federal government funding approval.
The spokesperson said Defence continues to work with Places Victoria on an agreed price for sale of the site.
“Defence is awaiting a final offer from Places Victoria.”
Tenders close September 20.
