EPA Victoria is in contact with Merri-bek Council about an asbestos discovery at Hosken Reserve, Coburg North. This is a separate incident not related to contamination found in mulch at Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood.
The area is a construction site. Traces of asbestos were discovered during works earlier in the year. Council has confirmed the material was non-friable asbestos. Recent works have uncovered additional asbestos and the council is in the process of removing it.
EPA will continue to support council as they resolve this issue, but can reassure the community there is low risk.
Non-friable or 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. It is considered low risk for people who are in contact with it, unless it is damaged or badly weathered resulting in asbestos fibres being released into the air.
