Published on Tuesday, 25 August 2026 at 5:00:00 PM
Pre-construction works, such as surveying and ground penetrating radar, have taken place at the James Street Cultural Precinct in recent months and are set to continue with a below-ground site investigation. This marks another step in the careful planning being done to support redevelopment of the area.
The site, around the historic Goods Shed, was used as a railway yard for the transport of shipped goods for about 50 years between the 1920s and 1970s. As with many former industrial sites, further research is needed to understand any potential contamination of the site before construction can take place.
Our community can expect to see below-ground explorations from 31 August to 11 September. Building a clear picture of what is beneath the surface will support informed decisions, and ensure future redevelopment is carried out safely and responsibly.
The site testing will involve digging test pits, and drilling to install groundwater monitoring wells. Activities will be carried out between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and are not expected to have any negative impacts on public health. Workers will wear protective clothing and dust masks during the investigation period. This equipment is being used in line with Department of Health guidelines and standard safety procedures for ground checks involving soils that may contain asbestos. The Shire would like to reassure the community that these measures are precautionary and do not indicate a risk to the public.
Community safety will remain a priority throughout the site testing. Investigation areas will be clearly marked with cones, flagging tape and signage. The public will not be able to access these areas while work is underway.
As an additional precaution, Airborne Fibre Monitoring will be undertaken daily during the works. This monitoring helps confirm tasks are being carried out safely and supports the protection of workers and the community. Monitoring results can be made available upon request to shire@esperance.wa.gov.au.
Visit our Project Page on the James Street Cultural Precinct for more information.
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