An infant has been tested for lead poisoning after their Tarago home was found to be 10 to 15 times above safe exposure limits.
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The 12-month-old child was said to be "on the [upper] threshold of acceptable health standards," or at an unacceptably high lead level.
Tarago Public has also undergone testing; and the neighbouring occupants of the Old Station Master's Residence, including a five-year-old child, have been relocated to Goulburn after examination.
The "significant contamination" public health issue was brought to Goulburn Mulwaree Council's attention on Thursday, February 27.
General manager Warwick Bennett said Transport for NSW had known about the contamination since July 2019, saying the state agency had "a lot of questions to answer on their actions to date".
Transport for NSW, which is the state agency managing the Tarago Rail Loop Extension, will hold a public meeting about the contamination at Tarago Hall on Monday, March 9 from 6.30pm.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) was first notified in August 2019 after a complaint from a member of the public. Transport for NSW then reported the issue to the EPA in November.
"We are aware [Transport for NSW] knew of this lead contamination prior to commencing work last year," Mr Bennett said.
The EPA issued a draft Declaration of Significantly Contaminated Land six months after the initial complaint on Friday, February 28.
An EPA spokesperson said the declaration meant they would regulate the site to ensure the contamination was comprehensively investigated and remediated to protect people and the environment.
According to the declaration, the lead contamination had arisen because land had been disturbed to construct the new rail siding.
The contamination is believed to be historical and caused by the loading of lead ore at the railway by the former Woodlawn Mine.
The lead concentration was found in soil. The report said it had impacted adjacent land resulting in exposure for occupants and persons working within the rail corridor as well as area ecology.
Goulburn Mulwaree mayor Bob Kirk and Mr Bennett met with state agencies and Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman last Friday.
Mrs Tuckerman said she had immediately coordinated a ministerial briefing from Transport for NSW, the EPA and other agencies. "My utmost priority is to ensure people in Tarago are safe," she said.
"All efforts are being made to ensure all risks have been identified and that those risks are being managed appropriately."
The Tarago Rail Loop Extension worksite had recorded elevated levels of lead contamination, as identified by site engineering contractor John Holland, a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
"Testing was undertaken to ensure the health of the local community prior to bulk earth works being undertaken," they said.
"In late January 2020, results of further testing became available that indicated lead was present at elevated concentrations at one property adjoining the rail corridor". The property owner was "notified and Transport for NSW and NSW Health are working closely ... to support them and manage any associated risks.
"A management plan to address risks [of] contamination was developed by an independent consultant and peer-reviewed by an accredited auditor under the Contaminated Land Management Act."
Further testing was carried out at EPA's request at a number of locations in the vicinity of the rail corridor, the spokesperson said.
"This detected the presence of lead at a private property in Tarago in excess of acceptable limits," the spokesperson said.
"All other locations [that] underwent testing were deemed to be at acceptable levels, including Tarago Public School. Further testing has also been carried out at the school by the Department of Education. Results from samples are expected in coming days."
A large amount of contaminated material is presently on site along the Tarago rail corridor, covered in a sand and cement mixture.
Transport for NSW would wrap the contaminated material in a "geofabric" and bury it, the spokesperson said.
![PLAN: Area of proposed contamination declaration is coloured and highlighted blue. Photo: EPA PLAN: Area of proposed contamination declaration is coloured and highlighted blue. Photo: EPA](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/DaHt57RjVSvtvCBUgFzTWj/8ea5dd1b-f6de-480f-9b8c-edc578ed0efa.JPG/r0_0_767_634_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)