The EPA has announced that it accepted this licence surrender, with coke making activities having ceased there in 2014.

The EPA accepted a consultant’s study which found no immediate land rehabilitation was considered necessary at this point.

“The soil and groundwater contamination assessment identified limited onsite chemical contaminants (consistent with coke-making) that were contained within the boundaries of the premises,” the EPA said. “This currently poses no threat to the local community.”

Much of the 18ha Corrimal site is zoned for industry, with an application in with Wollongong City Council to rezone with the goal of 694 dwellings with buildings up to six storeys high.

Corrimal residents will hold an informal public meeting at the entry to the old cokeworks this Sunday to discuss the proposal and what they regard is the best outcome for Corrimal.

The 3pm meeting will discuss whether the sheer number of homes – on top of 66 new homes on the old Leagues Club site across Railway St – plus the loss of trees and creek habitat, will be acceptable to the community.

Illawarra Coke Company director Kate Strahorn said further site investigations may be required, and rehabilitation work would be determined by council and the Planning Department.

“Once we get approval, we can commence demolition of the existing industrial infrastructure,” she said.

“There is some limited decontamination work required. Fortunately, the coke making process used on the property did not produce significant contamination, due to the very high temperatures in the coke ovens.

“Finally, there is some earthmoving to be done which will virtually eliminate flooding on the property, and significantly mitigate it for our neighbours.”