| 1944 |
ICI Australia began chemical manufacturing plant at Botany site. |
| 1970s and 1980-1981 |
Volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons  (CHCs) were identified in groundwater during site development works. |
| Sep 1989 - May 1990 |
ICI Australia began Stage 1 of an environmental survey for potential groundwater contamination.
The survey developed a snapshot of the extent, nature and degree of contamination of the soils, shallow and deep groundwater, surface water, sediments and biota in the immediate vicinity of the site.
|
| Jun 1993 - Aug 1996 |
ICI Australia began the second stage of the environmental survey. The scope of the Stage 2 survey was established by an expert Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) chaired by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) (now Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water). A Community Liaison Committee was formed, which included members of the TAC, as well as representatives from local industry, environmental groups and other interested authorities. |
| Nov 1996 |
The survey's third stage began. ICI Australia submitted a proposed Stage 3 Remediation Plan (The Five-Year Remediation Plan) to the NSW EPA. |
| Mar 1997 |
A Consolidated Groundwater Report issued by ICI Australia to the NSW EPA recommended a groundwater monitoring program be initiated comprising existing monitoring wells. |
| Apr 1997 |
A Bioremediation Workshop was held. It was followed by the engagement of two of the participating companies, GeoSyntec Consultants, Inc. (then Beak International, a bioremediation consultancy based in Canada) and EnviroMetal Technologies, Inc. (ETI). ETI was created by the University of Waterloo, Canada, to license the zero valent iron technology developed by the university. |
| Jul 1997 |
ICI Australia became an independent Australian company after its parent company, ICI Plc, divested its 62.4% shareholding in the company. As a result of the selldown ICI Australia was required to change its name and on 2 February 1998 became known as Orica. |
| Mar 1998 |
Routine monitoring first detected signs of the central plume (ethylene dichloride [EDC] plume) on Block 1 of Southlands. This led to the commencement of extensive monitoring and modelling of the groundwater movement. |
| Feb 1999 |
Construction and monitoring of the Pilot Scale Reactive Iron Barrier began. Based on the outcomes of the bioremediation workshops, the reactive iron barrier was chosen because it was the only technology available at the time that appeared to degrade volatile CHCs reliably at elevated concentrations (except EDC and dichloromethane). |
| May 1999 |
NSW EPA directed Orica to investigate containment options for the Central EDC Plume. In response, Orica engaged URS Australia Pty Ltd (URS) to conduct a detailed review of the existing data, conduct further monitoring, and to issue a report in May 2000. |
| Mid-1999 - Dec 2000 |
Orica provided significant funding for bioremediation feasibility investigations undertaken by GeoSyntec and University of Toronto, Canada. |
| Jun 1999 |
A review of the Orica Botany Human Health Risk Assessment (that had been prepared as part of the Stage 2 environmental survey) was issued to the NSW EPA. There was no overall change to the conclusions made in the Stage 2 survey that there was no unacceptable risk to human health. |
| Aug 1999 |
An EDC Plume Containment Report was issued to the NSW EPA. It concluded that containment of EDC contaminated groundwater could be achieved by hydraulic control on Orica land. |
| 24 Feb 2000 |
Orica entered into a Voluntary Investigation and Remediation Agreement (VRA) with the NSW EPA under the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997. The VRA formalised the principal features of the remediation program including target dates, reporting requirements and communication processes. |
| Feb 2000 |
Construction of a realignment channel for Springvale Drain in Southlands was completed. This enabled the subsequent removal of contaminated sediments from the bottom of Springvale Drain (to prevent them from being carried downstream to Penrhyn Estuary). |
| Mar 2000 |
A project to reline two major stormwater pipes running from the Botany Industrial Park to Springvale Drain was completed. This was the first major remediation project completed under the VRA. It prevented ingress of contaminated shallow groundwater into the pipes through degraded pipe joints and subsequent discharge into Springvale Drain. |
| Oct 2000 |
A Dense Non-aqueous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) Source Area Investigations Summary Report was issued to the NSW EPA. It addressed DNAPL contamination at three locations on site. |
| 26 Feb 2001 |
The First Annual Report under the VRA was issued to the NSW EPA. |
| 26 Nov 2001 |
The reconstructed original alignment of Springvale Drain in Southlands was opened and the temporary realignment channel was plugged at the upstream end. |
| 27 Feb 2002 |
The Second Annual Report under the VRA was issued to the NSW EPA. |
| 21 May 2002 |
Orica entered into a Voluntary Investigation and Remediation Agreement with the EPA for Stage 4. |
| 27 Feb 2003 |
The Third Annual Report under the VRA was issued to the NSW EPA. |
| Jun/Jul 2003 |
Orica proposed and the NSW EPA accepted, a proposal to amend the VRA with respect to investigation of issues and alternatives for full-scale reactive iron barrier installation. |
| 24 Sep 2003 |
Invitations were sent by Orica to 550 local residents in the immediate vicinity of the EDC Plume offering the testing of their backyard bores. |
| 26 Sep 2003 |
NSW EPA issued Orica with a Notice of Clean Up Action. |
| Early Oct 2003 |
Work began on the construction of a Bioremediation Field Trial facility on Block 2 of Orica Southlands. |
| 31 Oct 2003 |
Orica submitted its Draft Groundwater Cleanup Plan to the NSW EPA. To minimise delays in implementing the plan, Orica commenced work immediately to install groundwater extraction and transport infrastructures. |
| Jun 2004 |
Orica began preparation of a detailed Environmental Impact Statement on the Groundwater Treatment Plant (GTP) in consultation with interested parties and the local community. |
| 28 Oct 2004 |
Interim hydraulic containment was achieved within the timeframe mandated in the Notice of Clean Up Action. Pumping of groundwater from Foreshore Road and Orica Southlands started, with treatment starting in the recommissioned Steam Stripping Unit. |
| 12 Nov 2004 |
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the GTP completed and submitted. |
| 11 Feb 2005 |
The GTP EIS was approved by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) (now Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water) with strict conditions. |
| Feb 2005 |
The construction of the GTP started. |
| Oct 2005 |
GTP construction completed and the commissioning process started. |
| Jan 2006 |
The GTP commenced treatment of contaminated groundwater. |
| 6 Aug 2006 |
Total CHCs recovered from contaminated groundwater from the interim operation of the Steam Stripping Unit and/or destroyed at the thermal oxidiser of the GTP reached 200 tonnes |
| 24 Dec 2006 |
Cumulative total volume of treated contaminated groundwater at the GTP reached 1 giga litres (GL: 1 GL=1000 million L) |
| 19 Mar 2007 |
The GTP treated over 6 million litres (6 ML) of water in a day for the first time |
| 1 Jul 2007 |
Total CHCs recovered from contaminated groundwater from the interim operation of the Steam Stripping Unit and/or destroyed at the thermal oxidiser of the GTP reached 400 tonnes |
| End Jul 2007 |
Total volume of recycled treated water by Orica and its customers reached 200 ML |
| 5 Aug 2007 |
Cumulative total volume of treated contaminated groundwater at the GTP reached 2 GL |
| Mid-Dec 2007 |
A workshop on strategy review for DNAPL source area depletion was held with local and international experts on groundwater contamination remediation and DNAPL removal. The workshop was aimed to review existing remedial approaches and selected technologies as well as to identify alternative remedial technologies or strategies that might be practicably applied to the Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project. |
| End Jan 2008 |
Total volume of recycled treated water by Orica and its customers reached 400 ML |
| 2 Mar 2008 |
Cumulative total volume of treated contaminated groundwater at the GTP reached 3 GL |
| 15 Jun 2008 |
Cumulative total volume of treated contaminated groundwater at the GTP reached 4 GL |
| End Jun 2008 |
Total volume of recycled treated water by Orica and its customers reached 600 ML |
| 17 Aug 2008 |
Total CHCs recovered from contaminated groundwater from the interim operation of the Steam Stripping Unit and/or destroyed at the thermal oxidiser of the GTP reached 600 tonnes |
| 15 Sep 2008 |
Strategy review on Botany Groundwater Cleanup Project and supporting documents were submitted to the then Department of Environment and Climate Change for their consideration |
| End Oct 2008 |
Total volume of recycled treated water by Orica and its customers reached 800 ML |
| 8 Feb 2009 |
Cumulative total volume of treated contaminated groundwater at the GTP reached 5 GL
|
|
Late 2009-
Mid 2009
|
DECCW reviewed the regulatory framework and decided to replace the NCUA with a Voluntary Management Proposal (VMP) under the amended Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 |
| Oct 2009 |
Orica submitted a draft VMP, including a Groundwater Remediation and Management Plan, to DECCW for review |
| 5 Nov 2010 |
NSW EPA (then DECCW) issues Notice of Approval of Voluntary Management Proposal (VMP) |
| Feb 2011 |
Second Botany Groundwater Strategy Review Workshop held |
| 30 Nov 2011 |
Approximately 10GL of groundwater extracted and 1000 tonnes of CHCs destroyed |
| 23 Apr 2012 |
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) grant Network Operator and Retail Supplier licences to Orica GTP. The licences are required under new legislation for the supply of Treated Water for industrial use on the BIP |
| 26 Oct 2012 |
4.95 GL of Treated Water supplied for industrial reuse since 1 April 2007 |
