The Town of Bassendean says any suggestion a vacant block it wants to sell for at least $500,000 is contaminated is false, citing two independent reports.
The town is selling 14 Iveson Place in Bassendean again after it bought it back last decade from resident Gerry Coleman, who claimed his home builder said the land could not be built on because of its infill of building material.
A town spokesperson said the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation classified the 843sqm site in October 2022 as ‘not contaminated – available for unrestricted use’.
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The town said it commissioned two independent reports, one that resulted in the DWER classification and a 2005 geotechnical assessment, outlining how soil compaction and footings should be undertaken for any development.
Mr Coleman had his own assessment done in 2004 and reported the site to DWER.
Before the 2022 classification, the land was classified on September 18, 2009 as ‘possibly contaminated - investigation required’.
A DWER letter about the latest classification to the Bassendean CEO revealed the site was “suitable for all land uses”, including residential use.
“The site was reported because an investigation, undertaken in 2004 to assess the geotechnical suitability for construction of a house, identified uncontrolled fill materials, including a plastic bag, limestone fragments, concrete, blue metal and rubble in soil beneath the site,” the letter read.
“Subsequent soil investigations were carried out in June 2022 which did not identify contamination in soil.
“Based on the information provided, the site is suitable for unrestricted use, including sensitive uses such as residential, primary schools and childcare centres.
“Investigations have demonstrated that the site is suitable for all land uses.”
Mr Coleman bought the block in 2004 for $240,000 to build a family home.
But plans stalled when he said his builder told him a house could “never” be built on the land.
He said the town-commissioned 2005 geotechnical assessment revealed the block had “uncontrolled fill” and debris including concrete, limestone, tiles and broken glass.
“Given the results of this assessment, this will result in a significant excavation with possible groundwater complications and impacts on neighbouring property,” the assessment report read.
“All organic material and uncontrolled fill should be stripped to the depths specified, depending on the type of foundation system adopted and stockpiled.
“The organic material is not suitable for use as a structural filling, it is only suitable for landscaping purposes.
“Excavation works need to extend beyond the building footprint by at least a distance equivalent to the depth to be removed.”
Mr Coleman said he was quoted $340,000 to have the uncontrolled fill removed and claimed he was not informed additional work needed to be done prior to building.
“When I bought it, there was no disclosure of what was in the ground until I went to sign the contract and it said it ... has potential to be contaminated,” he said.
He said his family had to rent and after three years of mediation, the town bought the land back.
“We were mentally spent; we got our money back and that was it,” Mr Coleman said.
“You might call it a win but it was never a win because we lost three years of equity on the house plus the rent.”
A Town of Bassendean spokesperson said any claim the site was contaminated was false.
“The suggestion that the site is contaminated is false and is not supported by the DWER classification and the independent site assessment,” the spokesperson said.
“The resident making the claims is aware of this classification.
“The town will defend any allegation which risks the valuation of the property not being realised.”