“After a mountain of lobbying, I'm pleased that we've been able to convince the state government to set up a fund that will assist in managing the legacy issues around the former Pasminco site at Boolaroo,” Mr Piper said.

Northern Lake Macquarie and the former Pasminco Smelter site are specifically listed as beneficiaries of the fund, Mr Piper said.

Professor Mark Taylor, of Macquarie University, said the government had listened and acted.

“People will always say it’s never enough, but this proves the government is taking the matters seriously,” he said. 

“Collectively we’ve campaigned about these problems and it’s a great outcome, it’s obvious the reviews were needed and we’re going to see some changes.”