These nearby wetlands were contaminated by the antimony processing plant, which closed decades ago. Antimony trioxide is used in electronics, plastics, flame retardants and metal alloys. This local processing plant produced 400 tonnes of this product, and 16,000 tonnes of waste. The waste included lead, arsenic and residues of cyanide and cresylic acid.
Over the past two years the government has invested 10 million dollars to remediate the site, and turn it into a community parkland. After completion, water quality has returned to healthy levels, and local wildlife have started to return.
It is now open to the public, with a 450m scenic walking track that stretches around the park and wetlands, and a 150m boardwalk so you can walk over the water.
The boardwalk is made from 100% recycled plastic, made by an Australian company. It took 2.5million plastic bags, which were taken from landfill to produce enough material for the boardwalk.
It is hard to believe that these now thriving wetlands, were once toxic wastelands.
They've provided places to sit and enjoy the scenery, and birdlife, also made of recycled plastic.
Lush green ferns are flourishing in their new habitat.
There is plenty of protection for wildlife to nest, and make homes.
With the Melaleuca, or (paperbark) trees, and water lilies in bloom, the views are spectacular.
These wetlands are a wonderful example of what can be done to an area, that most would consider too toxic to be saved. For those of you that would like to know the location of this special place, its called Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk in NSW, Australia.
Photos and content by white.tiger