EPA Victoria continues to investigate asbestos reports and ensure that any risks to the Victorian public remain low through active management and control of Councils and the resource and recovery sector.
After more than 30 inspections of parks and reserves, less than a half a shopping bag of suspect materials has been found, removed and sent for testing.
All the materials were in bonded form and present a negligible health risk.
Two sites have been removed from the active list – Dennis Reserve and HD Graham Reserve – after test results confirmed the materials were not asbestos. Fitzgerald Square Reserve in Brimbank Council has been given a Clearance Certificate issued by an independent hygienist, showing the site is clear of contamination.
EPA Victoria is continuing to respond to reports of suspected asbestos over the weekend, sending any suspect material for priority testing.
Materials may have already been present on site or may have been deposited at the site by other means. However, EPA’s Agency Command Team – comprising of Environment Protection Officers, Environmental and Public Health Scientists and Specialist Investigators – is still actively investigating mulch producers and the supply chain of mulch supplied to Hobsons Bay City Council. EPA’s proactive inspections of 59 commercial mulch producers in March this year that use recycled timbers, found no asbestos contamination in mulch at any of these premises.
Despite the negligible risk posed by the small number of bonded asbestos pieces found to date, EPA is coordinating with local government to have them engage independent hygienists to remove any visible asbestos containing material or other contaminants and advise when identified reserves are cleared.
To date, Hobsons Bay City Council’s independent hygienist has assessed 18 of the 21 public spaces which have received recycled mulch material over the past 18 months. All areas where asbestos has been detected are being actively managed to prevent public access and clear the site.
EPA is also reiterating to the resource recovery sector, councils, and all managers of public spaces, that under the General Environmental Duty of the Environment Protection Act 2017, all Victorians must ensure they take action to prevent and manage risks to human health and the environment.
Under this duty, councils and all public land managers have a clear responsibility to be proactively assessing the land they manage, including for contamination.
Those laws also apply to resource recovery facilities – including commercial mulch producers that use recycled timbers in their products – to prevent asbestos from entering the mulch production process. Non-compliance with Victoria’s environmental protection laws can attract fines of up to $4 million and 5-years in prison for serious offences.
New information:
Hobsons Bay City Council area
Brimbank Council area
Fitzgerald Square Reserve, Sunshine West
Council has obtained a Clearance Certificate from a hygienist with inspections showing the site clear of contamination.
Of the 8 samples that were sent for testing, only 1 was confirmed as asbestos containing material.
Status of all sites:
Hobsons Bay City Council area
Altona Coastal Park
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
EPA has required the area be fenced and remediation works undertaken.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site in multiple batches between September 2021 and February 2023.
The mulch producer is known to EPA and has been inspected and cleared of having contamination in mulch products.
The source of contamination is still under investigation.
PA Burns Reserve, Altona
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Hobsons Bay City Council has restricted access to the area while it implements its remediation plan.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site in December 2023.
The mulch supplier is known to EPA and is being investigated.
The likely cause of contamination is underlying building waste on top of which the mulch was laid.
GJ Hosken Reserve, Altona North
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Hobsons Bay City Council has restricted access to the area while it implements its remediation plan.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site between April and May 2022.
The mulch producer is known to EPA and has been inspected and cleared of having contamination in mulch products at its premises.
The source of contamination is still under investigation.
Crofts Reserve, Altona North
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Hobsons Bay City Council has restricted access to the area while it implements its remediation plan.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site in September 2023.
The mulch producer is known to EPA and has been inspected and cleared of having contamination in mulch products at its premises.
The source of contamination is still under investigation.
PJ Lynch Reserve, Altona North
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Hobsons Bay City Council has restricted access to the area while it implements its remediation plan.
Hobson’s Bay has confirmed the mulch was laid prior to 2015 and cannot provide information on the producer.
The source of contamination is still under investigation.
Donald McLean Reserve, Spotswood.
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Council has fenced off the affected area which is being remediating. This is likely to be completed by early next week.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site in November 2022.
The mulch producer is known to EPA and has been inspected and cleared of having contamination in mulch products at its premises.
Source of contamination is most likely illegal dumping.
Truganina Park, Altona Meadows
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, one sample of potential asbestos containing material was taken for priority testing on Thursday, 11 April.
Test Results are pending.
Doug Grant Reserve, Altona
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, pieces of potential asbestos containing material were taken from one location in the reserve for priority testing on Thursday, 11 April.
Test results are pending.
It is suspected that potential asbestos containing material was contained in building rubble which was generated during gardening excavation works.
Laverton Creek at the rear of AB Shaw Reserve, Altona Meadows
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, two samples of potential asbestos containing material were taken for priority testing on Thursday, 11 April.
Test results are pending.
Newport Lakes Reserve, Newport
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, samples of potential asbestos containing material were taken for priority testing on Thursday, 11 April.
Test results are pending.
