Status Update re: Augusta Power Stations’ Site – 31 March 2017

Long Term Ash Storage Area Program

  • The EPA has approved the rehabilitation plans for the ash storage area. Work on applying topsoil continues so that it is in place in time for native vegetation to be established in the coming months.
  • The construction process has progressed to the fifth of a total of five “access fingers”. Water and Bon-Matt HR is used as topsoil dust suppressant.
  • Nine trucks, a PistenBully machine, one D6 dozer, three D7 dozers, one 30t excavator and one 45t excavator continued operating, placing over 1500 loads of topsoil onto the ash storage area surface this last week.
  • There has been almost 260,560m3 of the 400,000m3 required top soil carted to the Ash Storage Area since the commencement on January 4th 2017
  • Dust monitors remain in operation to provide real-time data for monitoring and reporting.
  • Flinders Power is currently establishing a Community Reference Group and has engaged industry professionals Communikate to assist. This Group is expected to meet in April.

Polishing Pond

Flinders Power personnel continue to monitor the polishing pond for odour with a coating of odour suppressant applied on Monday 20 March 2017.

Augusta Power Stations Site Enquiries

All public enquiries may be directed to Flinders Power by:

Telephone: 0419 252 760

Email: enquiries@flinderspower.com.au

Additional information can be found at www.flinderspower.com.au

Please Note: The ash storage area progress reports are issued weekly. Special bulletins/media alerts may be issued from time to time when conditions or circumstances demand it.

Background

On January 4 this year, Flinders Power commenced the aerial application of approved suppressant (used with success internationally in environmentally sensitive areas) on the ash storage area to replace dust suppressant impacted by severe weather. The company applied suppressant to the ash storage area late last year to prevent dust being emitted in windy conditions. The suppressant had been effective as an interim dust control measure prior to the commencement of permanent rehabilitation activities. However, bad weather had impacted – negatively – on what is normally an effective ‘treatment’.

The aerial re-application of suppressant at the Augusta Power Stations’ ash storage area was completed Tuesday 25th with a final inspection satisfactorily completed on 30th January. The inspection concluded that the works are complete and a good seal has been achieved, with no areas noted for re-application. 

Following the installation and commissioning of two new continuous dust monitors at Lea Memorial Oval and Stirling North, a total of five monitors are now in operation. These monitors provide a real-time record of fine dust particles in the air.

A long term solution for the rehabilitation of the ash storage area has commenced and involves the application of topsoil, seeded with native plants and grasses, which will cover the entire ash storage area. The application of topsoil over the ash is considered the most effective process for the long term management of the area. This work will continue over the next six months with appropriate mitigation measures to be used to manage dust that may be generated during the topsoil application.

Community Information Session

A community information session was held on Monday 6th February at the Port Augusta Institute. Representatives from the Port Augusta City Council, Flinders Power, SA Health, Department of State Development and the Environment Protection Authority met with approximately 160 members of the community.

At the session, Flinders Power discussed its interim and long- term plans for management of the ash storage area. An information brochure regarding the Ash Storage Area is currently being distributed to the community by letterbox-drop.

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