Captains Flat

The Captains Flat Lead Management Taskforce was established in January 2021 in response to the detection of elevated lead levels in the disused rail corridor adjacent to the former Lake George mine. 

The community were first advised of the contamination on 29 January 2021 and the first community information sessions were held on 8 and 9 February 2021.

The Taskforce is comprised of representatives from 5 state agencies and a representative from the local council. Their remit was to:

• coordinate an inter-agency government approach
• deliver clear and consistent community messaging and engagement
• develop and deliver lead management projects based on assessment of risk
• coordinate cross-agency resources to ensure community awareness and support for living safely with lead.

The Captains Flat area is naturally mineralised with lead and other metals.  This is the reason there was such significant mining in the town. The Lake George Mine produced lead, zinc, copper, pyrite, silver and gold. When mining operations commenced in the area more than 120 years ago, standards for environmental protection like dust management were very different. 

Highly mineralised soil and dust would have been spread around the mine site during its operation, and at the loading site in the rail corridor. Waste was also stockpiled on the mine site and it is not known how far soil and dust from the mine site and rail corridor may have spread.

Since the mine’s closure in 1962, the NSW Government has undertaken significant work to remediate the site, including erosion control, stabilising and capping tailings, drainage improvements, removal of contaminated material and other safety works. Future works which are in the planning stage  will involve neutralising soil, capping and revegetating bare areas on the mine site, and pursuing options to treat water coming from the mine.

The Captains Flat load out area was historically used to load out ore material/product from the former mine. 

In September 2020, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) identified elevated levels of lead in the soil in the rail corridor due to these past activities.

The site was reported to the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in September 2020 and declared a significantly contaminated site in April 2021. TfNSW entered into a Voluntary Management Proposal (VMP) with the EPA. The VMP outlines the management and remediation plans and timeframes.

An Interim Environmental Management Plan (IEMP) has been implemented to manage the potential risks to human health and the environment. The controls include fencing of the site to prevent access to the area and spray sealing of the Copper Creek Road crossing and road surfaces in the nearby SES compound.  The IEMP will remain in place until the site is remediated.
In April 2022, Transport completed detailed investigations to understand the extent and locations of the contamination at the site and surrounding properties. 

In November 2022 TfNSW conducted a Remediation Options Assessment (ROA) to identify and assess potential options to remediate the site.  The community was consulted on the ROA in December 2022.  The outcome of the ROA is that TfNSW has approved the remediation of the area to a level which will enable the area to be included in the Captains Flat Heritage Trail.

The rail corridor remediation project is in the remediation planning phase. This includes:

• preparation of a remediation action plan
• geotechnical survey
• preparation of detailed design and engineering
• development of a biodiversity management plan
• preparation of Statement of Heritage Impact and archaeology plans
• statutory approvals to conduct the remediation works

It is planned for these works to be completed by mid -2024, which will enable remediation works to be completed soon after.

On 2 February 2021, the NSW EPA started testing soil from publicly owned land in Captains Flat, including the preschool, the public primary school, community hall and parks.

While elevated levels of lead in and around the site of a former lead-producing mine are not unexpected, the NSW Government has investigated levels of lead beyond the former mine site and rail corridor. Additional sampling by environmental consultants on public land around the town has informed the NSW Government to better understand the extent of contamination in Captains Flat and develop options to manage lead on public lands beyond the mine site.

The findings from this work were published in August 2023. 

Further analysis of the tests taken by the EPA on public land has been carried out and the results have been shared with the landowners (i.e. Council, Crown Lands, TfNSW) to consider appropriate action. The EPA provides technical advice on managing this contamination where needed.

Yes, the EPA’s residential soil sampling program is ongoing. Private landholders and residents can contact the NSW EPA for free soil testing. The EPA is also happy to collect a rainwater tank sample if the tank is accessible. To enquire or arrange a test please contact the EPA Environment Line on 131 555. 

Landholders and residents that request soil testing on their land will be provided with a report within six weeks from testing.

All results from the rail corridor and public lands testing by the EPA will be shared. Results from EPA testing on private properties will be shared with the landowner and resident, and with the local council and the Department of Regional NSW for specific purposes if consent is provided.

Remediation of the Lake George Mine has been funded by the NSW Government and remediation work is due to commence in September 2023. The aim of the work will be to treat bare areas (which correlate to contaminated areas) reducing potentially contaminated dust from spreading and ceasing erosion causing contaminated sediment to wash off the mine site.

The lead management plan identifies significant areas that have been contaminated in town and the strategies to remediate or abate the impacts from this.

It should be noted that the reason there is a mine at Captains Flat is because the area is naturally mineralised.

The likelihood that a person has been exposed is dependent on several factors including the level of lead in the immediate environment (soil, water and air), activities that could increase exposure, the length of exposure and the person’s age and general health. If you are concerned about possible exposure to high levels of lead, please see your local GP to request a blood test. You can request this test to be bulk billed.

Yes. There are practical ways to manage potential exposure to lead in and around the home, such as washing your hands regularly, using raised garden beds and covering exposed dirt with turf or mulch to prevent dust being carried by the wind.

Information is also provided in the Managing lead around the home in Captains Flat fact sheet.

See advice on how to avoid lead exposure. Information about potential health issues associated with lead exposure is available on the NSW Health website.

Information is also provided in the Managing lead around the home in Captains Flat fact sheet. 

The town’s water supply system sources raw water directly from Captains Flat Dam, an 820 ML on-stream dam on the Molonglo River. This dam is a remnant of the old mining scheme from the early 1900s. Tailing dams next to the on-stream dam, failed during the 1940s releasing highly contaminated water and sediments into the dam. Diversion pipes are now in place to minimise direct water run-off from the former mining areas into the raw water storage dam. 

The water treatment plant was upgraded in 2002. Raw water is treated with a coagulant to draw out dissolved metals and other impurities before passing through an ultra-filtration membrane filter. Following treatment, which includes fluoridation and disinfection at the plant, water is transferred to two reservoirs before being distributed to Captains Flat and Beverly Hills. 

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council carries out operational water quality monitoring of the Captains Flat water supply system every three months. In addition, verification monitoring is required by the NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program, which requires the weekly collection of samples for microbial analysis and biannual sampling for chemical and physical analysis.  

Water collected in rainwater tanks varies in quality and is impacted by the management and maintenance of the associated roof catchments, which could collect dust and debris. Tank water quality can also be affected by lead-based paint used on roof surfaces and lead flashings, as well as lead–based solder in tanks and plumbing lines, pipes, water laying for extended periods in copper pipes, and other plumbing fixtures containing lead and copper.

Water from your rainwater tank should not be used for any potable purpose including drinking, brushing your teeth, food preparation, or irrigation of edible fruit or vegetables, unless you know that it is compliant with the Australian Drinking Water Guideline Values. The EPA can test your tank water while testing soil at your property, or alternative testing advice can be provided by NSW Health.

The Captains Flat Town Water Supply remains the most reliable source of good quality drinking water because it is treated and regularly monitored for compliance with the Drinking Water Guidelines.

Further advice on rainwater tank water quality and tank maintenance is available from NSW Health. Alternatively, you can contact the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 and ask to speak with an Environmental Health Officer.

Water from your rainwater tank should not be used for any potable purpose including drinking, brushing your teeth, food preparation, or irrigation of edible fruit or vegetables.

Poultry and other animals should not be given this water for drinking or be provided grass cuttings as forage from lawn that has been watered with this tank water. 

Water in your tank can still safely be used to irrigate non–edible gardens and lawns and hose down hard surfaces including pathways and driveways.

NSW Health recommends that groundwater (bore water) is not used for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene (including cleaning teeth and bathing) without testing and appropriate treatment including disinfection. In this regard, it is also recommended that you do not use your bore to top up your rainwater tank, irrigate fruit or vegetables, or use in swimming pools or spas without testing. 

Groundwater users should be familiar with the quality of their water. This can be done by testing the microbiological, chemical and radiological quality of the water. Water should meet water quality guidelines in order to protect your family’s health and your animals’ health where being used for stock and domestic animal purposes. Refer to private water supply testing service and DPI Water quality and testing for more information on water quality and treatment. 

Further advice on groundwater quality is also available from NSW Health. Alternatively, you can contact the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 and ask to speak with an Environmental Health Officer. 

Recreational water quality is not consistently monitored in the Molonglo River. In addition to potential variation of water quality from mine seepage, quality can vary dependent upon agricultural activity within the catchment, drought and weather patterns including intense periods of rainfall. Swimming is not recommended after heavy rainfall.

Swimming may result in swallowing water or contaminated sand or sediment, either intentionally or unintentionally. Due to the dilution of heavy metals or chemicals, it is unlikely that recreational water users will come into contact with concentrations high enough to cause adverse effects following a single exposure. Continued exposure is unlikely to result in adverse effects at the concentrations in recreational water, and with the exposure patterns of most recreational water users. In terms of any risk associated with lead contamination, it is important to note that lead is not readily absorbed through the skin.

If swimming in the Molonglo River results in an adverse health impact, please consult your doctor for further advice. 

In general, poultry foraging in lead contaminated soils may swallow enough lead to cause their eggs to become contaminated with lead and may become unsuitable for consumption. To prevent contamination: 

• Poultry should not be allowed to range freely through the yard where lead is suspected/proven. 
• Poultry can be housed on a concrete or bitumen floor with 150mm layer of straw, wood shavings or hull. 
• Visibly dirty eggs may be wiped with a damp cloth.

Food producing animals exposed to lead may have levels of lead residue potentially harmful to human health in the meat, liver, kidney, milk and eggs that they produce, without showing signs of illness.  

If you own food-producing animals and are concerned they may be affected by lead, please contact the Braidwood Local Land Services office for assessment and potential testing of at-risk livestock at 42 Ryrie Street, Braidwood (8:30am-4:30pm), by calling 4842 3800 or  completing the online customer enquiry form. 

Dust from the contaminated soil may contain lead particles and could be brought into the house on your shoes or your pet’s feet. To reduce potential exposure to lead, pets should be washed regularly, and you should wash your hands with soap and water after touching your pets. Washing or wet-mopping floors, stairs and windowsills will help reduce your exposure to dust from your pets.

If you are concerned about your pet, contact your private veterinary practitioner for advice. 

Now that the Taskforce has delivered the Lead Management Plan and associated abatement plans it has completed the work it was established to deliver. The implementation of the recommendations now resides with the relevant landowning agency.

Test results are not intended to be used to establish a property’s contaminated land status for the purposes of sale of land. The focus of the EPA’s precautionary testing is to help inform interested residents about any potential risk of elevated lead levels on their property.

Plants do not readily absorb lead, but the amount they do absorb depends on the species and the variety of plant, the chemical composition of the soil, the amount of lead in the soil and the soil temperature. Leafy vegetables and herbs tend to accumulate more lead compared to fruiting vegetables.  If you are worried about this, the EPA can test the soil at your property to see if there are elevated lead levels.

Water from your rainwater tank should not be used for any potable purpose including irrigation of edible fruit or vegetables, unless you know that it is compliant with the Australian Drinking Water Guideline Values. The EPA can test your tank water while testing soil at your property, or alternative testing advice can be provided by NSW Health. 

Further advice can be provided by contacting the Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055. Please ask to speak with an Environmental Health Officer. 

Information is also provided in the Managing lead around the home in Captains Flat fact sheet. 

We are managing private information in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002. Personal information including contact information, the outcome of private property testing, and blood test results will not be disclosed without consent.  

If you find the awareness of this precautionary approach to managing lead in the community is contributing to additional concern in your life, there are things you can do to take care of yourself and your mental health. If you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s mental health you can call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 for advice. If you or someone else is in immediate danger call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

You can also consult your GP for advice, to discuss a Mental Health Treatment Plan or request referral to specialised mental health clinicians and services, including social workers, mental health nurses, psychologists or psychiatrists.

Further assistance can also be sought from online counselling and information services including Beyond Blue, Headspace and Kids Helpline. You can also contact your local Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Coordinator, Judy Carmody on 0417 131 301, who can provide advice on appropriate services and resources in your local area.