Goat Island (Me-Mel), located in Port Jackson, is part of the Sydney Harbour National Park and managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). As part of ongoing conservation efforts, NPWS undertook refurbishment works on several heritage-listed buildings, including the Harbour Master’s Residence. RARE Environmental was engaged to provide specialist hazardous materials management and removal services to support this refurbishment.

RARE’s scope included the safe removal and management of significant quantities of friable asbestos, lead-based paint, and lead dust contamination across the Barracks, Kitchen Cottage, and Museum buildings.

• Secured site-specific approvals and developed environmental management plans in accordance with National Park requirements.
• Prepared all project documentation, including a Lead Management Plan, Asbestos Removal Control Plan, and notifications to relevant regulators.
• Coordinated commercial transport logistics, including the use of RARE’s in-survey marine vessels to and from the island.
• Established exclusion zones and implemented hazardous material controls, including the setup of negative pressure enclosures for friable asbestos removal.
• Removed flaking lead-based paint and accumulated lead dust using compliant, certified methods under controlled conditions.
• Undertook friable asbestos removal under full containment using negative pressure and wet removal techniques, with clearance inspection by an independent Licensed Asbestos Assessor (LAA).
• Managed all hazardous waste using 200μm asbestos disposal bags and strict containment procedures in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Applied comprehensive decontamination procedures for personnel, equipment, and plant to prevent cross-contamination.
• Transported and disposed of all asbestos- and lead-contaminated waste under EPA waste tracking protocols to a licensed waste facility.