Perth Voice Interactive

INVESTIGATIONS by Bayswater city council into potentially contaminated sites could stall due to a lack of funding.

The council is investigating 19 sites which could be potentially contaminated.

Based on advice from the WA environmental regulation department, Bayswater Riverside Gardens (east and west), Maylands peninsula golf course, Maylands yacht club and Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary have been prioritised.

Some were built on old landfill.

Detailed site investigations can be expensive and time-consuming: the bird sanctuary inspection cost $200,000 while a preliminary investigation of the golf course cost $10,910.

“If the funds are not carried over, then the costs will need to be allocated in the next financial year’s budget.”

“Should the city encounter a significant contamination issue during its investigations, costs will potentially be significant and it is unlikely that there will be funds remaining in the reserve account,” wrote council staff.

“If the funds are not carried over, then the costs will need to be allocated in the next financial year’s budget, which will reduce the available funds and prevent any additional investigations from being undertaken during that financial year.”

To meet any shortfall, staff recommend transferring any surplus capital funds for contaminated sites investigation to the landfill restoration reserve fund at the end of each financial year.

Mayor Sylvan Albert says so far investigations have not found any risk to the public.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK