Jennifer Pittorino
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said it does not need the help of a taskforce to tackle the growing asbestos issue across the west, despite pleas from Hobsons Bay council.
On Tuesday, April 9, Hobsons Bay council voted to write to the premier calling on the state government to emulate NSW in establishing an asbestos taskforce.
Councillor Daria Kellander raised the urgent item stating it is a “really serious issue affecting the neighbourhood and residents”.
However, on Thursday, April 11, EPA’s Duncan Pendrigh told ABC Radio Melbourne, “We don’t need any more resources to address it.”
“We’re addressing it extremely well at this point in time,” he said.
“There’s no need for us to ask for any more resources for responding to the issue as we see it at the moment.“
With five sites across Hobsons Bay now confirmed and a further two awaiting test results, Cr Kellander believes there is no time to waste.
“Our next council meeting will be in a month’s time, the issue is obviously pressing,” she said.
“It’s a very serious issue at this point in time and I believe that we need to hear it today.”
Cr Kellander said it is a systemic problem between reaching recycling goals and turning the nasty stuff away.
“It’s a dangerous trade off and there is nothing sustainable about putting asbestos into recycling,” she said.
“To me this seems like another cost shifting exercise in the absence of real policy.This is a big task and we don’t know how far this will extend” she said.
“We don’t know how much it will cost to remediate in full or who will bear the cost and I believe that a task force would help alleviate this.”
To avoid further damage, Cr Kellander said submitted the matter as urgent business.
“I submitted this matter of urgent business as I want to do my permit to make sure that no parks, playgrounds or community options are put at risk in future,” she said.
The confirmed sites as of Thursday, April 11, are PA Burns Reserve, Altona, GJ Hosken Reserve, Altona North , Crofts Reserve, Altona North , PJ Lynch Reserve, Altona North and Donald McLean Reserve, Spotswood.
When asked on Wednesday, Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas was non-committal on whether the government would follow through on council’s request.
