Asbestos-containing material detected in reserves
Updated 23 April 2024
Following the identification of asbestos at Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood, our team has been inspecting reserves across Hobsons Bay alongside a material hygienist, licensed asbestos removalist and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).
All public spaces that had recycled mulch applied over the past 18 months have now been inspected, with suspect materials sent for priority testing.
The EPA have confirmed small amounts of bonded asbestos-containing material has been detected at the following sites:
- WJ Crofts Reserve, Blackshaws Rd, Altona North
- G J Hosken Reserve, Blackshaws Rd, Altona North
- PJ Lynch Reserve, Mason Street, Altona North
- Donald McLean Reserve, The Avenue, Spotswood
- Altona Coastal Park, Altona
- Federation Trail, Brooklyn – managed by Department of Transport and Planning (identified as demolition waste and not in mulch)
- Cherry Lake Buffer Mound, Altona
- Grieve Parade Reserve, Altona
- Kororoit Creek Reserve, Altona North
The EPA advises that the amount of contaminated material found so far was "extremely low" and present a "negligible health risk", but a highly precautionary approach is being taken.
Sites where asbestos-containing material has been detected are being actively managed to prevent public access until the site is cleared of any visible contamination.
Works on the following sites have now been completed:
- Laverton Creek (rear of AB Shaw Reserve), Altona Meadows – clearance certificate provided, site reopened 23 April
- Doug Grant Reserve, Altona – clearance certificate provided, site reopened 23 April
- PA Burns Reserve, Altona – clearance certificate provided, site reopened 23 April
- Truganina Park, Altona Meadows – clearance certificate provided, site reopened 23 April
- Newport Lakes Reserve, Newport – clearance certificate provided, site reopened 23 April
The following sites that have received mulch in the past 18 months have been inspected and cleared of contamination:
- Laverton Creek estuary, Altona Meadows
- HD Graham Reserve, Altona Meadows
- AB Shaw Reserve, Altona Meadows
- Rifle Range Arboretum, Williamstown
- Pines Scout Camp, Altona
- RJ Long Reserve, Williamstown
- Armstrong Reserve, Newport
- DOW Chemicals, Altona
For more information on cleared sites and investigations, please visit the EPA website.
We’re working closely with the EPA to remediate the sites as soon as possible.
We will provide regular updates on this webpage and social media (Facebook and Instagram) and have sent letters to nearby residents.
We would like to reassure the community that where the presence of asbestos is confirmed at public parks and reserves, we will act quickly so the affected areas remain safe.
If you have more questions on site remediation or would like to report suspected material, please call Council on 1300 179 944 or report via the Snap Send Solve app.
Further information on asbestos can be found on the Department of Health website.
FAQs
What should I do if I find pieces of bonded asbestos in the community or my home?
If you find suspected asbestos, call Council on 1300 179 944 or EPA on 1300 372 842. You can also report via the free app Snap Send Solve. As a precaution, do not pick it up or handle it.
To report suspected asbestos and illegal dumping, contact EPA on 1300 372 842.
I live close by, is my health impacted?
The EPA has advised that, so far, material confirmed as asbestos-containing material is bonded asbestos, not the more dangerous friable asbestos, and is considered low risk. Bonded asbestos is generally made up of a small amount of asbestos fibres that are tightly bound in a product such as resin or cement.
A highly precautionary approach is being taken and Council is working closely with the EPA to remediate the sites as soon as possible.
How long will the playgrounds and reserves be closed for?
At this stage, it is not known how long the playground and reserves will remain closed for, however further updates will be provided once site clearance is received, and new materials are arranged.
Are playgrounds safe?
Yes, playgrounds use softfall mulch and no asbestos-containing material has been found in softfall mulch. Any fenced-off playspaces are due to their proximity to recycled mulch containing asbestos contaminated material or dumped asbestos contaminated material.
How can I found out which reserves have been cleared?
For a list of cleared sites and investigations, please visit the EPA website.
Who is conducting the investigation? Council or the EPA?
The EPA is leading the investigation.
What do remediation works involve?
Depending on the site, remediation works may include any of the following: fencing and bulk mulch removal, a thorough walk over and any further contamination removed, raking and checking of all mulch on site, and/or long term further site remediation.
Which reserves are being investigated?
All reserves that have received recycled mulch in the past 18 months have been inspected by a licensed hygienist.
How is Council helping the EPA with its investigations?
Council is continuing to work closely with EPA and will provide them with a list of all suppliers used to source mulch, as well as a list of contractors and sub-contractors used, from the same time period.
What is Council doing to prevent this happening in the future?
In conjunction with the EPA, Council will review our procedures regarding the sourcing and handling of mulch.
Why is asbestos in the community?
Asbestos products were commonly used in houses built in the mid-1940s until the late-1980s. If these houses are demolished, the associated asbestos waste must be legally disposed of to landfill. It must not be reused in mulch or any other product.
EPA has advised that illegal dumping of asbestos does occur, as does accidental contamination in construction and demolition waste that is recycled. The dumping of asbestos containing materials, and contamination of recycled construction and demolition waste are illegal activities that Council and EPA continue to work to prevent.