The NSW Government has today announced $899,000 in funding for Ballina Shire Council to remediate contaminated land in a bid to help unlock future housing.
The land’s former industrial use for cattle tick dipping left the soil contaminated by chemicals such as arsenic. Remediation of the sites will involve the safe removal of contaminated soil to a licensed waste facility and its replacement with imported clean soil, said Minister for Land and Property, Steve Kamper.
“This is a great outcome for the North Coast and the local environment. Restoring this idle land not only protects our natural surroundings but helps unlock land for new homes,” said Mr Kamper.
“Housing affordability and availability are one of the biggest pressures facing families, particularly in the Northern Rivers, where repeated natural disasters have made the situation even harder.
“Reactivating land like this allows us to ease some of that pressure by creating opportunities for more homes and stronger, more resilient communities.”
Remediation Action Plans have been developed to clean up 3.9 hectares for future use. Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will fund the remediation of a former cattle dip site and yards at 31 and 33 Canal Road, with Council contributing $100,000.
Today’s funding announcement followed news last week that the NSW Government will deliver a historic pipeline, of over 355 public and community homes across the Northern Rivers over the next two years, including 48 planned in Ballina.
