Sale Gasworks Remediation

Australian Gas Networks (AGN), part of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), currently owns the former gasworks site located on McMillan Street in Sale (image below). We are planning to safely clean up and restore this land as part of our long-term environmental remediation program for the site.

Our focus is on protecting the environment, ensuring community safety, and working transparently with local stakeholders and regulators throughout every stage of the project.

What’s the project about?

The former gasworks operated from 1881 to 1965, manufacturing gas from coal. As was common practice at the time, by-products such as coal tar and tar pitch were disposed of onsite, resulting in soil and groundwater contamination.

The gasworks was fully decommissioned before AGN became the site owner. AGN acquired the land in 1999–2000, long after operations had ceased, and has never operated gasworks activities at this location.

Following this work, the Clean Up Plan (CUP) and Remediation Action Plan (RAP) for the site were approved by the EPA in July 2025. The first phase of physical works will begin in mid 2026.

Timeline

Why does this work need to take place?

Remediation is required to ensure the site remains safe over the long term and to protect the surrounding environment.

Through these works, AGN aims to:

• Safely remove and dispose contaminated soil at licensed facilities

• Protect local water and environmental health

• Restore the land for potential future use.

For more information, check out our FAQs

Where is the work happening?

The main site is located at 2–14 McMillan Street, Sale. There are no residential properties on site, and no nearby residents or businesses will need to relocate during the works.

See the map below to understand the areas included in this remediation project.

What's Involved

Remediation will occur in two main stages:

1. Shallow Excavation (less than 3m depth)

• Removal of contaminated soils for offsite treatment and disposal.

• This phase is expected to take 4–6 weeks.

2. Deep Remediation – In-Situ Solidification (ISS)

• For contamination deeper underground (between about 3 and 13 metres), we will use a method called In-Situ Solidification, which means treating the soil where it is, without digging it up.

• We do this by mixing the contaminated soil with a cement-like material, which locks the contamination in place.

• Once treated, the soil becomes a solid, stable block that stops contaminants from moving into surrounding soil and reduces the rate contaminants move in the groundwater.

• This deeper treatment stage is expected to take around six months.

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If you have any questions, feedback, or concerns, our team is here to help.

Email community.engagement@agig.com.au

Phone +61 8 9223 4300