ELECTRICITY supplier Jemena has lodged a development application to erect a $160,000 security fence at the contentious gasworks site on lower Russell Street.
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Although the disused gasworks stands on land owned by the State Government, Jemena still leases the site and is responsible for its upkeep.
Security issues at the site were highlighted last year when a fire was started in one of the buildings.
Councillor Bobby Bourke has also been pushing for tighter security, saying the gasworks buildings have become a haven for people who want to graffiti, use drugs or binge drink.
He feared it was just a matter of time before someone died in one of the buildings.
Jemena’s DA, lodged last week with Bathurst Regional Council, proposes a 2.4m-high galvanised steel fence around the perimeter of the site.
Jemena also provided a schedule of guidelines for workers to consider when installing the fence, including:
- Care must be taken to not disrupt or damage the monitoring wells or test points around the site.
- All material excavated on site must remain on site and should not be removed from site.
- All construction materials taken to site by the contractor are to be removed by the contractor.
- Any spoil removed from holes to be dug on site is to be segregated/contained/covered so that it does not run off.
The development application for the fence comes just a fortnight after the Western Advocate reported Jemena was looking at options to get out of its long-term lease on the gasworks site.
New Lands Minister Paul Toole said he had not yet seen a proposal from Jemena but he was willing to discuss the issue with them.
