Former gasworks sites

Gas manufacturing plants, known as gasworks, used to produce town gas for heating, lighting and cooking. Gas was generated by heating coal. The resulting gas was captured, piped off and used as fuel.

Most NSW gasworks commenced operation in the late 1800s. With the introduction of alternative fuel sources, many began to be phased out in the 1960s. The last known operating gasworks in NSW was decommissioned in the mid-1980s.

The operation of gasworks throughout NSW has left a legacy of soil and groundwater contamination, in some cases extending to adjoining sites. The major contaminants include tars, oils, hydrocarbon sludges, spent oxide wastes, ash and ammoniacal recovery wastes. While many of these materials were recycled or reused, it was common for some to be buried on or near the gasworks site (for instance in underground tar wells, liquor wells, pipes and purifier beds) and not removed when the gasworks were decommissioned.

Some of these contaminants are carcinogenic to humans and toxic to aquatic ecosystems and so may pose a risk to human health and the environment. As a result, many former gasworks sites will require remediation before they will be suitable for sensitive land uses, such as housing.

Location of former sites

According to a study completed in November 2003 and information that subsequently became available to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), there are more than 60 former gasworks sites in NSW. The study was commissioned by the Environmental Trust and the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW to provide an inventory of former sites and assist the EPA and local councils to decide if any action was required to address human health and/or environmental impacts.

The table below lists the location of these sites, excluding sites where the existence of a gasworks was unable to be confirmed. It also does not include the sites of gas booster stations, which were used to raise the pressure of gas supplies. These sites are not included because they were not used to manufacture or process gas and so have limited potential for contamination.

The information available on former gasworks sites and the extent of investigation and remediation that has been carried out varies from site to site and is constantly being updated. For the latest information on sites regulated by the EPA, search the record of EPA notices for contaminated land. For information about sites that are not regulated by the EPA, contact the relevant local council. The EPA has given each council the information it has on sites in their area.

Council Gasworks location For more information
Albury City Council Kiewa Street, Albury Search record of EPA notices
Armidale Dumaresq Council Beardy Street, Armidale Search record of EPA notices
Auburn Council Wilson Park, Silverwater Search record of EPA notices
Bathurst Regional Council Bathurst Railway Station, Bathurst Contact council
Bathurst Regional Council Charlotte Street, Bathurst Contact council
Bathurst Regional Council Russell St, Bathurst Search record of EPA notices
Bega Valley Shire Council Upper Street, Bega Contact council
Blue Mountains City Council Megalong Street, Katoomba Search record of EPA notices
Broken Hill City Council Mercury Street, Broken Hill Search record of EPA notices
Cabonne Shire Council Gasworks Lane, Molong Contact council
Camden Council John Street, Camden Contact council
Canterbury City Council Kingsgrove Road, Kingsgrove Contact council
Cessnock City Council Maitland Road, Cessnock Contact council
City of Canada Bay Council Tennyson Road, Mortlake Search record of EPA notices
City of Canada Bay Council Wymston Parade, Abbotsford Search record of EPA notices
City of Lithgow Council Gasworks Lane, Lithgow Contact council
Clarence Valley Council Pound Street, Grafton Contact council
Cootamundra Shire Council Hovell Street, Cootamundra Search record of EPA notices
Council of the City of Sydney Hickson Road, Millers Point Search record of EPA notices
Council of the City of Sydney Macdonaldtown Triangle, Erskineville Search record of EPA notices
Cowra Shire Council Brougham Street, Cowra Contact council
Deniliquin Council George Street, Deniliquin Contact council
Dubbo City Council Gas Lane, Dubbo Contact council
Forbes Shire Council Union Street, Forbes Search record of EPA notices
Glen Innes Severn Shire Council West Avenue, Glen Innes Search record of EPA notices
Goulburn Mulwaree Council Blackshaw Road, Goulburn Contact council
Hawkesbury City Council Church Street, Windsor Contact council
Hay Shire Council Coke Street, Hay Contact council
Junee Shire Council Lord Street, Junee Contact council
Junee Shire Council Peel Street, Junee Contact council
Lismore City Council Keen Street, Lismore Search record of EPA notices
Liverpool City Council Mill Road, Liverpool Contact council
Liverpool Plains Shire Council Single Street, Werris Creek Contact council
Maitland City Council Charles Street, Maitland Search record of EPA notices
Maitland City Council Melbourne Street, East Maitland Search record of EPA notices
Manly Council Stuart Street, Manly Search record of EPA notices
Mudgee Shire Council Mortimer Street, Mudgee Contact council
Muswellbrook Shire Council Carl Street, Muswellbrook Contact council
Newcastle City Council Clyde Street, Hamilton North Search record of EPA notices
Newcaslte City Council Ellis Road, Turton Road, Georgetown Road, Waratah Contact council
Newcastle City Council Low Street, Wallsend Contact council
Newcastle City Council Steel Street, Newcastle West Contact council
Newcastle City Council Wharf Road, Newcastle Contact council
North Sydney Council High Street, North Sydney Search record of EPA notices
North Sydney Council King Street, Waverton Search record of EPA notices
Orange City Council Peisley Street, Orange Contact council
Parkes Shire Council Bogan Street, Parkes Contact council
Parkes Shire Council East Street, Parkes Contact council
Parramatta City Council George Street, Parramatta Contact council
Richmond Valley Council North Street, Casino Contact council
Shoalhaven City Council Lamonds Lane, Nowra Search record of EPA notices
Singleton Shire Council Gas Street, Singleton Search record of EPA notices
Tamworth Regional Council Peel Street, Tamworth Contact council
The Council of the Municipality of Kiama Shoalhaven Street, Kiama Contact council
Wagga Wagga City Council Chaston St, Wagga Wagga Search record of EPA notices
Wagga Wagga City Council Tarcutta Street, Wagga Wagga Search record of EPA notices
Weddin Shire Council Gooloogong Road, Grenfell Search record of EPA notices
Wellington Council Gobolion Street, Wellington Contact council
Wingecarribee Shire Council Merrigang Street, Bowral Search record of EPA notices
Wollongong City Council Finders Street, Wollongong Contact council
Woollahra Municipal Council White City, Paddington Contact council
Yass Valley Council Dutton Street, Yass Search record of EPA notices
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