Stockton Beach is a 32 kilometre stretch of pristine white sand located north of Newcastle and is the largest continuous mobile sand dune system in the southern hemisphere. Over the course of the last 10 years, Stockton Beach has been eroded by the constant heavy swells which had exposed sections of a disused historical landfill to the public.
Enviropacific was engaged to undertake emergency remediation works to control the worsening impact and to prevent further contamination of the area.
One of the main outcomes of the project was the successful excavation of ~12,000 tonnes of landfill waste from the beachfront consisting of items such as tubes of nappy rash cream, used bandages, car parts and general household waste. However, the removal of waste was not the only important driver of the remediation. To ensure any future erosion could be monitored and managed, a geotextile marker layer was installed in areas where buried landfill remained. The final outcome of the project included the replacement and reconstruction of sensitive sand dunes throughout using locally sourced, geologically consistent material suitable for the rehabilitation.
Summary
- Successful excavation of ~12,000 tonnes of landfill waste from the beachfront
- Reconstruction and rehabilitation of sensitive foredunes, including geotextile placement, to monitor and control future erosion
- Successful delivery under friable asbestos removal conditions, with full-time independent hygienist management
- 2018 Australasian Land and Groundwater Association (ALGA) Best Regional Remedial Project Award