Mining left Bendigo site too toxic for homes on one side of the road
Mining left one side of Bendigo's Chum Street unsuitable to develop. The other side can support homes with proper soil protection.
Chum Street in Golden Square shows mining's lasting effects. One side of the road is owned by Development Victoria and is too contaminated to develop.
The other side has old broadcast studios at 2-20 Chum Street. The site is being rezoned for housing and aged care but needs protective measures.
A 133-page environmental report shows the site holds arsenic, cyanide and mercury from old tailings dams. The site also has at least two major mine shafts and evidence of leaked chemicals.
Geologists say development can work if soil is capped with at least half a metre of fresh earth and some areas are sealed with concrete. Bendigo Council hopes the rezoned site can help ease the city's housing shortage.
- 133 pages
- Report length
- Chum Street, Golden Square, Bendigo
- Location
- At least half a metre of fresh earth
- Soil protection required
- At least 2 major shafts
- Mine shafts found
Why it mattersThis shows how contaminated land can still be developed with proper management. But it only works on a case-by-case basis. Each case needs expensive investigation.
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