Background

The Pasminco Cockle Creek site was closed on 12 September 2003.

Operations began at Cockle Creek in March 1897 with the establishment of an orthodox lead smelter, making it the Hunter Region`s first heavy industrial site. The closure was a result of the administrators restructuring of the Pasminco Group's operations due to the marginal financial performance of the site.

Since closure Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Pty Limited (Subject to a Deed of Company Arrangement) (`PCCS`) is continuing with a number of activities including the appointment of a Remediation Project Manager.

Fitzwalter Group, Property Consultants, Project and Development Managers, were appointed in November 2003 and provide a wealth of property and project management experience.

The Fitzwalter Group's initial task included the site management of limited remediation activities such as the covering of Slag stockpiles and other related site works.

In addition, investigations and assessments into the future long term use of the site continue with studies including environmental and geotechnical investigations, flora and fauna, heritage, industrial archaeology, visual analysis and urban design.

The above studies have lead to the submission of an application by the Deed Administrators under Part 3A of the EP&A Act for the remediation of the site and provided background and supporting information to the Lake Macquarie City Council who are now preparing a Local Environmental Study to support the rezoning of a significant portion of the site for residential and industrial land uses.

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