In relation to the proposed sale of the (a) Maygar Barracks site in Camp Road, Broadmeadows, Vic. and (b) former naval ammunition dump site in Greenvale (Somerton), has the Minister's Department conducted assessments of the site, in particular, (i) contamination tests, (ii) flora and fauna assessments and (iii) heritage and environmental assessments; if so, what were the findings.

(a) (i)

· Environmental Site Assessment (May 2002) - IT Environmental.

· Additional Environmental Investigations and Occupational Health and Safety Audit (August 2002) - IT Environmental.

- Lead has been detected in some soil samples. The lead contaminated soil will be removed and disposed of into a licensed landfill through remediation works due to commence shortly.

- Some Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon contamination was present in the groundwater. Further groundwater monitoring was recommended.

· Hazardous Building Materials Audit (February 2002) - Kilpatrick and Associates Pty Ltd.

- Asbestos, synthetic mineral fibres and polychlorinated biphenyl oils were detected. The report recommends that removal of the substances found if demolition or works were conducted.

(ii)

· Flora and Fauna assessment (December 2001) - Brett Lane & Associates.

- The flora found was largely exotic. Seven indigenous vascular plant species were recorded, one of regional significance. No indigenous vegetation communities remain on the site. The report recommends retention of indigenous tree species. A number of trees at the former entrance and driveway to Mornington Park on Camp Road are in the Hume City Council's Heritage Overlay.

- Fauna habitats are entirely artificial and support limited native fauna being mostly birds characteristic of farmland and urban areas.

(iii)

· Built Heritage Appraisal of Selected Buildings (July 2002) - HLA Envirosciences.

- The report states that the site meets two criteria for significance - A4 (through associations with the site, rather than by virtue of physical evidence) and H (through association with 1st Australian Imperial Force and in particular, Leslie Maygar VC). As a group, the buildings at Maygar were said to meet criterion D2 by representing the principal characteristics of World War II warehouses and associated buildings. However, it was stated that they are not unique, as there are numerous sites of this nature across Australia. As such the level of significance is assessed at `Regional'. Maygar Barracks is not listed on the Register of National Estate, nor on the Victorian Heritage Inventory.

· Cultural Heritage Values (January 2002) - TerraCulture Pty Ltd

- The report concludes that areas of the barracks adjacent to the Merlynston Creek are likely to contain Aboriginal archaeological material. With regard to European heritage, there were no archaeological sites or features relating to the former rural use of the land and current military use of the barracks.

(b) (i)

· Contaminated Land Assessment (May 2002) - Parsons Brinckerhoff.

- Investigations have identified surface contamination of expended ammunition. A number of localised waste disposal sites have also been identified on the site. These areas require further assessment and will be remediated prior to any future use of a more sensitive nature.

· Hazardous Materials Assessment (March 2002) - Parsons Brinckerhoff.

- A large number of the magazine buildings located on the site were constructed using various types of asbestos. Depending on the final end use for the site, these buildings and the asbestos materials should be removed in order to minimise the ongoing liability with respect to the upkeep and maintenance of the buildings.

· Explosive Ordinance Report (March 2002) - Enterra Pty Ltd.

- Explosive Ordinance burn residue and components from small explosive ordnance has been found on site and will require remediation. Remediation options are presently being investigated.

(ii)

· Flora and Fauna Survey (January 2002) - Brett Lane & Associates Pty Ltd.

- The native flora and fauna of the site are highly degraded due to the history of use at the site and the current vigorous weed invasion. Small populations of common reptiles are likely to exist in the areas of remnant native grassland and rocky granite slopes. The tussock grassland along the Yuroke Creek drainage line, the adjacent escarpment areas and the stone walls are other habitats that may support native fauna and could be considered of at least local significance for flora and fauna.

- The remnant native vegetation communities have regionally significant species, and these are recommended for inclusion in the open space and managed for conservation purposes. Nine flora species of regional conservation significance have been identified. It is important to note that all remnant areas occur within the catchment area for the Greenvale Reservoir, which is the more constrained portion of the site for urban development and will be reserved as a non-access area for water catchment. The north-eastern section of the site is free of flora and fauna constraints for urban development.

(iii)

· Cultural Heritage Assessment (February 2002) Tardis Enterprises.

- The report identified the Yuroke Creek Valley and escarpment and an area within the Greenvale Reservoir catchment as being of low to moderate potential for Aboriginal archaeological sites.

· Heritage Assessment (January 2002) - Heritage Alliance.

- The report concludes that the site, in particular the munitions magazines and explosive stores are of historical importance. The site appears to meet the threshold for listing on the Register of the National Estate.