Former gasworks sites

Gas manufacturing plants, known as gasworks, used to produce town gas for heating, lighting and cooking. Gas was generated by heating coal. The resulting gas was captured, piped off and used as fuel.

Most NSW gasworks commenced operation in the late 1800s. With the introduction of alternative fuel sources, many began to be phased out in the 1960s. The last known operating gasworks in NSW was decommissioned in the mid-1980s.

The operation of gasworks throughout NSW has left a legacy of soil and groundwater contamination, in some cases extending to adjoining sites. The major contaminants include tars, oils, hydrocarbon sludges, spent oxide wastes, ash and ammoniacal recovery wastes. While many of these materials were recycled or reused, it was common for some to be buried on or near the gasworks site (for instance in underground tar wells, liquor wells, pipes and purifier beds) and not removed when the gasworks were decommissioned.

Some of these contaminants are carcinogenic to humans and toxic to aquatic ecosystems and so may pose a risk to human health and the environment. As a result, many former gasworks sites will require remediation before they will be suitable for sensitive land uses, such as housing.

Location of former sites

According to a study completed in November 2003 and information that subsequently became available to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), there are more than 60 former gasworks sites in NSW. The study was commissioned by the Environmental Trust and the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW to provide an inventory of former sites and assist the EPA and local councils to decide if any action was required to address human health and/or environmental impacts.

The table below lists the location of these sites, excluding sites where the existence of a gasworks was unable to be confirmed. It also does not include the sites of gas booster stations, which were used to raise the pressure of gas supplies. These sites are not included because they were not used to manufacture or process gas and so have limited potential for contamination.

The information available on former gasworks sites and the extent of investigation and remediation that has been carried out varies from site to site and is constantly being updated. For the latest information on sites regulated by the EPA, search the record of EPA notices for contaminated land. For information about sites that are not regulated by the EPA, contact the relevant local council. The EPA has given each council the information it has on sites in their area.