The Lead Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to eligible households that have been impacted by lead contamination from the former Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter. 

The Pasminco site operated for more than a century in Boolaroo. During this time, airborne pollution resulted in soil contamination in surrounding areas, including lead and other heavy metals.  

Remediation work has occurred since the smelter closed in 2003, but some soil in the area remains contaminated or potentially contaminated. 

Led by the NSW Environment Protection Agency, the Lead Mitigation Grant Program can help with the cost of lead remediation and mitigation activities.

Depending on the Contamination Notation of your property in the LAS area, you may be eligible for:  

• Soil testing via X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) - a quick test carried out by qualified Council staff to estimate lead levels in the soil 
• Assistance with lead in soil testing carried out by a suitably qualified consultant to confirm contamination status 
• Assistance with the costs of a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) prepared by a suitably qualified consultant 
• Assistance with the costs of a Validation Report prepared by a suitably qualified consultant 
• Assistance with costs of tipping fees associated with disposal of contaminated soil 
• Assistance with maintaining capped soil 
• Assistance with setting up or maintaining raised garden beds 

In situations where an acute health risk is identified, applicants may also be eligible for:  

• Assistance with temporary housing or relocation costs while a property undergoes remediation 
• Assistance with costs for remediation of land 

Eligibility criteria

Residential landowners or tenants living within the Lead Abatement Strategy (LAS) area may be eligible for funding.

The LAS includes the suburbs of Boolaroo, Argenton and parts of Speers Point, Macquarie Hills and Edgeworth, highlighted purple in map below. 

• Phone: 02 4921 0333
• Email: leadgrants@lakemac.nsw.gov.au