Annual Report 2006 (main body) - RTA - NSW Government

projects.The RTA has liaised with DEC on
project planning, documentation and
technical elements of this chapter. DEC are
finalising approval and publication of
Volume 2.
Managing erosion and sedimentation
Training of 72 staff on the RTA Erosion and
Sedimentation Risk Assessment Procedure
was undertaken. This procedure was
developed to identify levels of risk for road
infrastructure projects. Project managers and
environmental staff use the procedure at the
project’s concept phase, ensuring erosion
and sedimentation risks are identified in early
project planning. Through implementing this
new procedure RTA has currently identified
42 construction projects with a high risk for
erosion and sedimentation. To support the
management of such projects a panel of
specialist soil conservationists was
established through the RTA Registration
Scheme for Construction Industry
Contractors. Panel specialists are available to
RTA staff and contractors, to provide advice
and expert management of these issues.
Environmental Improvement Program
Environmental improvement works at 15
operational sites were undertaken during
the year at a total cost of $1.1 million.
Projects carried out included stormwater
drainage and treatment works at Ashby
Dry Dock, Dubbo and Rockdale Depots,
and improvement to emulsion storage
facility at Bellambi Depot. In addition,
remediation works were undertaken
throughout the year which included the
removal of underground storage tanks,
together with soil and groundwater
remediation works at Yass, Bellambi and
Goulburn Works Centres, and Kogarah
Motor Registry. Soil remediation works
were also carried out at several surplus
properties prior to disposal.
Stormwater Environment
Improvement Program
The RTA continues to support local
councils with the management of
stormwater runoff via the Stormwater
Environmental Improvement Program. In
2005–06 the RTA provided approximately
$490,000 for the program, which involved a
number of projects including the installation
of a gross pollutant device in North Sydney.
Two stormwater controls were installed in
drainage of the Princes Highway adjacent
to the Royal National Park to capture gross
pollutants such as litter from the Princes
Highway.
Another valuable project was the
development and implementation of spill
trailers containing equipment to manage a
spill event. RTA provided six spill trailers to
six RTA depots in NSW. RTA provided an
additional spill trailer to Parramatta Council
works depot.The spill trailers are used for
response to fuel or chemical spills on RTA
managed roads.
Jane Oakley and Marie Edwards with one of RTA’s Prius hybrid vehicles which are replacing six cylinder vehicles
to reduce the environmental impact of the fleet.
Contaminated land
The RTA Contaminated Land Guideline was
released earlier this year. The Guideline
addresses the management of contaminated
land in accordance with NSW legislation
and policy guidelines. It provides a
process to ensure that the RTA meets
statutory environmental and community
responsibilities when buying, selling and
managing property. The Guideline also
provides information on management of
consultants appointed to the RTA Panel for
the Provision of Contaminated Site
Investigation and Management Services.
RTA continues to identify and manage
potentially contaminated sites in accordance
with NSW legislation and industry best
management practice.
POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND URBAN DESIGN OUTCOMES 57