The site has been vacant for some years but recently, Gloucester residents observed security fencing suddenly being erected around the site.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

Although two signs have been put up, neither explains in any detail the reason for the fencing, or what is happening on or under the land.

One sign reads that the area is Crown land, and that trespassers will be prosecuted.

The other reads: “Warning. Contamination may be present on this land.”

One of the mysteries is how the property ended up as Crown land.

According to a spokesperson for the MidCoast Council, the property, which had been privately owned, became Crown land by a process known as “escheat.”

Escheat is an ancient legal concept whereby privately-owned land can re-vest (escheat) in the Crown.

Being a former service station and industrial site, the land is contaminated, and in order to avoid the potentially huge costs of remediation the owner “escheated” the land to the Crown.

Former Gloucester Mayor John Rosenbaum told News Of The Area that before amalgamation the local Council had been keen to acquire the property as a site for an information and discovery hub – with no success.

MidCoast Council said it also had some discussions with Crown Lands about using the site as an information hub but would need to be satisfied that the contamination issue had been completely resolved.

NOTA sought comment from Crown Lands regarding plans for the site, and whether any contamination had extended into the surrounding areas, including the creek flowing through Billabong Park.

A spokesperson from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure provided the following response.

“17 Denison Street, Gloucester, was returned to the Crown estate by court order.”

“The contaminated site was formerly used by the Gloucester Machinery Company as a farm machinery facility and service station prior to the bankruptcy of the business.

“Work has been completed to fence the premises, secure the buildings, and undertake a basic clean-up, including removal of rubbish, mowing and management of vegetation.

“Crown Lands is now investigating remediation plans for the site.

“A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) and a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) have been prepared and are under review.

“Further investigations and liaison with stakeholders about the future of the site are currently under consideration. “Additional information will be released in due course.

“Crown Lands has a working relationship with the EPA (Environment Protection Authority) regarding known and potential contaminated sites.

“The EPA requires Crown Lands to undertake investigations and develop options to determine if formal notification under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 is required.

“The DSI included some initial sampling of the surrounding area, though broader site sampling to gauge potential impacts to the neighbouring creek will be considered in future investigations.”

By John WATTS