Goya Dmytryshchak
Altona beachgoers say work carried out at a popular swimming spot known as Flemings Pool has left behind debris, some of it dangerous.
Nine months ago, Hobsons Bay council cleaned Flemings Pool to a depth of 70 centimetres to remove debris following construction of a new pedestrian ramp.
Lifelong Altona resident Peter Weaver said beachgoers had found “metres and metres” of black plastic, reinforcing steel and other rubble.
“It’s concrete rubble and rubble from the construction,” he said.
“We all grew up there, we used to bury ourselves a metre down in the sand and dig holes and it was a pristine little beach.
“Now, you need a pair of rubber-soled shoes to walk out into the water.”
Fellow local Joanne Mathrick said sharp building waste and concrete rubble was constantly being found.
“I swim every day there,” she said.
“You’re tumbling over rocks, so it’s really annoying.
“I’ve been picking up some bits of the reo (reinforcing steel) that have been left behind.
“It’s building rubble that’s been left behind. When they demolished the original ramp that was there, the rubble that’s come out of it, the contractors have left it behind.”
Hobsons Bay mayor Jonathon Marsden said the council was continually monitoring the site for debris.
“Recent storms and high waves have resulted in debris being washed up onto the beach from the ocean, including bricks, bottles, concrete, rocks and seaweed,” he said.
“Our beach cleaning crew attends Flemings Pool at low tide several times a week to clear the area of any litter or debris.”
