T2D excess soil proposed as fill for controversial Gillman land

State Government plans for Gillman land, adjoining the Magazine Creek wetlands, are raising grave concerns about environmental risks and public costs.

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has submitted a Development Application (DA) for ‘spoil’ from the final stage of the Torrens to Darlington (T2D) connection to be transported to and stored at a Spoil Reuse Facility at Eastern Parade, Gillman.

The Department “has estimated that the T2D Project will generate approximately 3.9 million cubic metres (m3) of spoil (or excess soil) material through boring of the tunnels and excavation of the lowered motorways and cut and cover tunnel portals”. (pp1)

From late 2025/early 2026 to end 2031 it’s proposed that trucks would bring spoil to Gillman every 3-4 minutes, 24 x 7. Obviously, this is a massive and costly exercise.

The land receiving the fill is very low lying, and the first site (Lot 501) is at 0.000 AHD (NW corner), with the Top of the Bench for the Spoil Receival Embankment planned at 8.000 AHD.

The DA advises that

“the subject land has been in the ownership of Renewal SA since 2003 and comprises 39.4 hectares of low-lying land within the Strategic Employment Zone (Gillman Subzone). The low-lying nature of the site has seen it left undeveloped for decades due to the need for significant filling to protect future development from the risk of sea water inundation and effectively manage stormwater processes”. (pp 1)

While Renewal SA is the current owner, Appendix C provides the Land Management Agreement approved in 2016 by the then Minister for Planning, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Renewal SA, after Renewal SA and Adelaide Capital Partners (ACP) entered into an Option Deed for Adelaide Capital Partners to acquire land at Gillman over 3 stages.

Between 2013 and 2015 there was considerable controversy since ACP had made an unsolicited bid to the then Labor Government for Gillman land and Cabinet in December 2013 approved the ACP offer.  In January 2015 a Supreme Court Justice described the deal as “unlawful, irrational and in disregard of commercial principals”. In October 2015 ICAC made adverse findings (maladministration) against two senior Renewal SA staff. Premier Weatherill counselled Minister Koutsantonis and said he’d “publicly criticised him, I’ve asked him to make a public apology” for communicating with Renewal SA staff using profanities, in relation to the ACP offer.

The DA advises that

“The LMA relates to an option deed entered into by the Urban Renewal Authority (Renewal SA) and Adelaide Capital Partners (ACP). The option deed provided ACP a right to purchase the land and develop the site for commercial use in accordance with an agreed Project Plan. The LMA establishes a framework for the design, implementation and funding of associated road and stormwater infrastructure should the ACP exercise their option under the deed and proceed with development of the site.

The proposed development is being undertaken by the Commissioner of Highways in conjunction with delivery of the T2D Project and therefore is not subject to the LMA”. (pp9)

So it seems there is still an option to purchase and where it would have been massively expensive for a company to acquire fill for the Gillman land, and contribute to costs for roads and stormwater infrastructure, the fill from T2D, access roads and stormwater services will now be provided at Government expense. (ACP currently trade as Willoc Property Pty Ltd)

“Following the conclusion of filling of land and cessation of the SRF, the final land use will be commercial/industrial (subject to relevant approvals) with a finished ground design level (postsettlement) of between 3.7 and 4.2m AHD”. (DA pp27)

The DA indicates that alternative sites for the Spoil Reuse Facility were assessed in 2021, however the DA does not identify those other locations, so it’s not possible to compare the competitive rationale for this site selection.

For more than a decade the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and local environmentalists have sought to alert the State Government to environmental risks arising from the potential development of industrial land at Gillman.

In response to this Development Application, the City of PAE has advised

• That additional information regarding stormwater management and mitigation of impacts on the wetlands is required.
• That potential silting of the wetlands from the spoil would impact the wetlands performance in terms of water quality management and flood mitigation. That further modelling is required to identify the preferred mitigation options including the option to construct sedimentation basins, bunds or other treatment options.
• Appropriate management of stormwater runoff generated from wash down bays is required, including consideration of offsite treatment.
• Appropriate management of acid sulphate soils is required.
• That the site includes Subtropical and Temperate Coastal Saltmarsh that is a threatened ecological community (TEC) listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act, and that management of impacts (ie invasive species incursion, habitat fragmentation and dust) on this TEC needs to be addressed.
• The importance of the site as a migratory bird habitat and reducing any impacts on feeding and roosting areas.
• That a buffer should be included between the base of the wetland embankment and the base of the proposed spoil treatment embankment for spoil bunding and road access and future maintenance of the wetlands.

The Port Adelaide Residents Environment Protection Group (PAREPG) and Friends of Port River have both made submissions opposing approval of the Development Application.

PAREPG’s concerns include

• Impacts of noise, dust and lights on Magazine Creek Wetlands
• Impacts on stormwater quality and quantity in Magazine Creek wetlands and the adjoining creek systems, intertidal and aquatic zones.
• Contamination of water tables under Lot 501 by spent ammunition from previous Rifle Range
• Management of feral animals and waste at Magazine Creek wetland boundary

The Friends of Port River submission highlights the lack of information in the DA:

• DIT has been developing this project since at least 2021 and is aware that the Facility is in proximity to several sensitive and protected aquatic and intertidal ecosystems, and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. However, its EHIAR is still in preparation, and it only briefly summarises the information from its “most comprehensive environmental, heritage and geotechnical investigations for the precinct in more than a decade”.

• This DA is notable for the paucity of information provided about the potential environmental impacts of the Spoil Reuse Facility and how the Department will avoid or minimise those impacts. The information provided suggests that this facility could exacerbate climate risks and environmental harm to this area.

PAREPG and the Friends of the Port River have asked to appear in person to speak to the State Commission Assessment Panel about their concerns. It is understood that staff of the City of PAE will meet with DIT officers.