JOHN BISSET/STUFF
ECan is warning that entering the former Chrome Platers building without appropriate protection was unwise.
People are being warned to stay out of closed off toxic and structurally unsound building in central Timaru after reports someone attempted to light a fire there at the weekend.
There was no major damage from the fire but the Timaru District Council, Environment Canterbury (ECan) and Fire Service New Zealand (Fenz) are all concerned about the dangers posed to those illegally entering the former Chrome Platers building at the eastern end of North St.
Built in 1883, the building, which has a Heritage New Zealand category two rating, was the scene of a fire in a vat of sulphuric acid in February 2015 that forced the evacuation of hundreds of people.
JOHN BISSET/STUFF
The cordoned off former Chrome Platers building in Timaru is still considered a hazard risk.
ECan and the district council, with funding from the Ministry for the Environment, removed about 133,500 litres of hazardous substances from the site in the clean up operation.
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Fenz Mid-South Canterbury area commander Steve Greenyer said although all the hazardous material had been removed from the site, there was still a risk of collapse in the event of a major fire.
JOHN BISSET/STUFF
The warning signs are clear on a door to the former Chrome Platers building in Timaru.
“We have been talking to the organisations in charge of looking after the building about possibly increasing the security at the site,” Greenyer said.
ECan science team leader for contaminated land Graham Aveyard said entering the building without appropriate protection was unwise.
“Restricting access is appropriate as the building is contaminated. Testing after the initial clean up showed some building materials were contaminated with heavy metals, mainly chromium and lead,” Aveyard said.
JOHN BISSET/STUFF
ECan says restricting access to the former Chrome Platers building is appropriate as it is contaminated.
“Groundwater in test bores beneath the site didn’t meet New Zealand Drinking Water Standards or ecological guidelines for chromium, cyanide and PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances). Hydrogen cyanide gas was discovered while the test bores were being drilled. These contaminants were found at levels that make appropriate protective equipment necessary when on site.”
Aveyard said further tests, undertaken from 2017-2019, showed that elevated concentrations of PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) and chromium had penetrated into the concrete slab beneath the building.
“Soil beneath the former effluent tank pit was contaminated with heavy metals (primarily lead and copper) and PFOS … offsite wells drilled last year to check for leaching indicated contaminants have not migrated to the coast (which is good news).”
Aveyard said ECan has been working with the district council “to rectify a legacy of poor environmental management at the site and last year engaged a consultant to develop options for remediation for Timaru District Council to consider. That process is ongoing.”
He added that the Ministry for the Environment’s contaminated sites remediation fund grant of $975,000 covered the initial site clean-up and investigations. A further $212,000 was granted for further tests and developing remediation options.
The district council’s group manager for commercial and strategy Donna Cross said although all the hazardous substances that were stored within the building have been removed, the building fabric itself is contaminated in areas and site is still considered a contaminated site.
“This carries risk to anyone entering and spending time inside the building not wearing suitable protective equipment,” Cross said.
“The council has worked to secure the building against illegal entrance, and to warn people of the dangers of entering the site (multiple signs are in place). We are looking at what additional security can be put in place.”
Cross said the council was working through the range of remedial options with the assistance of ECan, work that has been funded by the Ministry for the Environment.
“A report will be presented to councillors shortly, prior to a preferred remediation option being decided on. A remediation action plan for the preferred remediation option will then be prepared.”
