The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has established two committees to review the management of soil contaminated with lead and lead slag as a result of operations from the former Pasminco Lead Smelter at Boolaroo.
These committees, made up of technical experts and community members, will work in partnership to ensure the residents of Boolaroo, Argenton, Speers Point and the wider community have access to information about the environmental and human health issues associated with the management of exposure to lead around the site.
Both committees have been established by the EPA in response to community concern about lead levels in Boolaroo and the effectiveness of the Lead Abatement Strategy which was undertaken on residents' properties up to 2013.
The Lead Expert Working Group will evaluate the effectiveness of the Lead Abatement Strategy and other remediation activities and will liaise directly with the Lake Macquarie Lead Community Reference Group.
The Lake Macquarie Lead Community Reference Group will provide a conduit to inform the community of ongoing work in relation to this issue, provide a voice for the community and facilitate ongoing communication between industries and the local community.