Remediation of legacy smelter-related contamination in Port Kembla
The NSW EPA recently entered an Enforceable Undertaking with Port Kembla Copper and Port Kembla Properties Pty Ltd (PKC), the previous owner and occupier of the historic Port Kembla copper smelter and refinery, which aims to address legacy contamination surrounding the premises caused by historic smelting activities.
Background
The Military Road copper smelter in Port Kembla operated for almost 100 years. The site’s most recent owner and occupier, Port Kembla Copper and Port Kembla Properties Pty Ltd (PKC), operated the smelter primarily from 2000 to 2003. It has mostly sat idle since then, with various demolition and remediation activities occurring.
PKC has worked voluntarily with the NSW EPA, NSW Health, and Wollongong City Council over the past few years to undertake offsite investigations to assess the extent to which past smelting activities have contaminated the surrounding area.
These investigations were conducted with PKC’s environmental consultant, Senversa. The information gathered has been used to identify and narrow down areas of Port Kembla that may be affected by contamination in soil, indoor dust and roof dust from airborne emissions associated with the past smelter operation.
Based on this work, around 300 homes – mostly located within 800 metres of the site – are estimated to be affected by roof dust contamination from smelter activities and require further investigation. Approximately 60 of these properties are also thought to be impacted by soil contamination.
While the contamination currently poses a low risk to the community, remediation has been recommended for properties confirmed to be impacted by legacy contamination during PKC’s investigation process.
Enforceable Undertaking with PKC
In February 2025, the NSW EPA accepted an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 with PKC – the most recent owner and occupier of the historic smelter on Military Road in Port Kembla.
The EU was initiated voluntarily by PKC to address legacy contamination and is not connected to any alleged breach of environmental protection legislation.
It is the largest Enforceable Undertaking ever agreed to by the NSW EPA, providing a financial assurance of $18.116 million to ensure PKC delivers an investigation and remediation program specifically addressing soil, indoor dust and roof dust contamination at residential properties potentially affected by airborne emissions from historic smelting activities.
The 300 residential properties identified by PKC’s consultant Senversa, located mostly within 800 metres from the former smelter site, form the focus of PKC’s investigation and remediation program, which will be carried out under the EU.
PKC has now sold the premises, and the sale is expected to be finalised in early 2026. The EPA’s EU with PKC will remain, despite the site’s scheduled change of ownership.
Enforceable Undertakings are one of the EPA’s regulatory tools. While they are entered into voluntarily, EUs are also legally binding, meaning failure to comply with the terms set out in an EU could result in legal action.
Find out more about the EPA’s Guidelines on Enforceable Undertakings.
PKC Program
The EPA encourages Port Kembla residents to participate in the investigation and remediation program being undertaken by PKC under the EU. Participation in the program is voluntary.
PKC and their consultant, Senversa, are leading community outreach efforts regarding the program. More information about the program, legacy contamination and the findings of PKC’s previous investigations is available on PKC’s website.
Community members can also contact PKC about the program by calling 1800 297 051 or emailing [email protected].