Tara Murray
Three Hobsons Bay parks that were closed after asbestos was found at them in April still remain partly closed two months later.
Hobsons Bay council identified 14 sites that were affected by asbestos following an investigation into parks in the municipality following asbestos found at Donald McLean Reserve, Spotswood.
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Hobsons Bay council determined the likely source of contamination at all but two of the 14 affected parks as being historic dumping or legacy in situ contamination.
Investigations cleared three producers of mulch used by Hobsons Bay council.
At the June 25 council meeting, infrastructure and city services director Matthew Irving provided an update of the state of play with the parks following a question from councillor Daria Kellander
Donald McLean Reserve is one of the reserves still partly closed.
“Three parks are still closed up,” he said. “One being Donald McLean Reserve, the others Crofts and Hosken reserves which are both in Altona North.
“It is anticipated that Donald McLean Reserve will reopen at the end of June, early July.
“All the mulching reinstatement works are complete [and the] last item to occur is the planting on that site.
“It is noted that the playground facility at Donald McLean reserve is open because the reinstatement to the playground area was done some time ago.”
Work at Crofts Reserve will be completed throughout July but for the most part the area has been able to function as usual.
“The area that is closed off, is the northern boundary and it’s not restricting any functional areas on site at the amount,” ?? said.
At Hosken Reserve there is an area of nature strip along the road that is still closed off.
Mr Irving said they were just waiting for a traffic management plan approval form VicRoads, before the council can complete that work and allow that final opening in that area.
