Following an extensive planning and assessment phase, Orica received Project Approval for Stage 1 of the Southlands Remediation and Development Project in April 2012 and work on the project is now underway.

Preliminary geotechnical and flood detention work has identified a need to adjust the site layout to achieve the required compensatory flood storage. In late February 2013 Orica submitted a modification application to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) for a revised site layout. This application and supporting documentation is available here.  DPI has asked for submissions on the modification to be made by 22 March.

A Community Update on this project was issued in March 2013, including information on the proposed modification.

Southlands is an approximately 20 hectare site owned by Orica. It is situated directly south-west of the Botany Industrial Park and fronts McPherson Street, Banksmeadow. The site lies entirely within the Botany Bay Local Government Area. It is zoned '4(a) Industrial' under the Botany Local Environmental Plan 1995, and is located approximately 1 km away from the Port of Botany and 500 m north of the northern shores of Botany Bay.

Southlands is split into two blocks (known as Block 1 and Block 2), which are separated by Springvale Drain. With the exception of groundwater extraction wells, monitoring wells and associated pipe work, the site is vacant.

Southlands and Botany Area

Stage 1 of the Southlands site will be developed for high quality industrial and warehouse purposes.

Future use of the land will incorporate all necessary infrastructure required for the ongoing Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project.

A large portion of the eastern side of the site will be grassed open space serving as a shallow stormwater detention basin.

The Project will be conducted in accordance with the detailed DPI Project Approval conditions. The Director-General's Environmental Assessment Report is available here.