RESIDENTS near a Wangaratta oval closed owing to lead contamination have been warned not to drink the area’s groundwater.
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A meeting next week between Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Wangaratta Council and North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve user groups is the latest step in a process that began last May.
EPA North East manager Emma Knights said groundwater samples from the reserve revealed lead levels higher than outlined in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
“EPA advises that groundwater in the area may be contaminated and shouldn’t be used for drinking until these investigations are completed,” she said. “For uses of groundwater other than drinking, for example irrigation and stock watering, EPA encourages regular testing of groundwater to ensure its suitability for those uses.”
Ms Knights said the authority would continue to review the environmental site assessment detailing the extent of lead contamination.
The situation arose through past skeet shooting practices of Wangaratta Clay Target Club, with Wangaratta Council now managing the project to assist the responsible volunteer group.
Gun club vice-president Brian Reid said the assessment report, which he had seen, would be used by consultants to develop a clean-up plan for the reserve.
“There is a section there that is contaminated with lead; what I’m hoping for is that will be cordoned off and work will start very quickly to remediate that part of the oval,” he said.
Mr Reid said ensuring North Wangaratta Football and Netball Club regained access to its ground remained a priority and he hoped most of the oval could soon be used for training.
The vice-president said police had issued a new certificate giving the gun club approval to reuse its range, minus skeet shooting.
“I'm confident we’ll be back out there soon in a limited capacity,” he said.
“And no lead, no contaminants, will ever leave our premises again.
“The problem has been fixed, we won’t be shooting in that direction again.”
Wangaratta Council chief executive Brendan McGrath said tenders had been received for the next stage, which involved looking at the test results and providing a proper clean-up plan.
“Then we'll know with some certainty how much work’s involved, how long it might take and what the cost is likely to be,” he said.