The Victorian EPA has formally approved the comprehensive plan developed by Dow to remediate soil and groundwater contamination on the Altona site and select areas beyond the fence line. This is a major milestone that will advise Dow’s remediation and restoration strategy for the coming years.

As reported in past issues of the Consultative Chronicle, Dow has been working for many years with the EPA, the Hobsons Bay City Council and the community on a range of projects to control the impacts on groundwater stemming from historical operations shut down many years ago and a grass fire that occurred in 1969.

Dow’s ANZ Manufacturing Manager Pat Pedrotti said that this milestone is significant for Dow and the community since it sets out the plan for Dow to fulfil its commitments to address this historical issue.

“We are very pleased that our work with the EPA has reached this important stage, and are looking forward to implementing the plan.”

Third-party review was an important part of the process in developing the plan. Mr. Pedrotti acknowledged the contributions of highly-regarded independent auditors and technical experts from Australia and overseas who helped ensure that the clean up plan reflected global best practices in groundwater remediation and community protection.