Jennifer Pittorino
The Environment Protection Authority has confirmed asbestos has been found at two more sites in Hobsons Bay, taking the total to six.
On Thursday, April 11, the EPA confirmed that six sites across the Hobsons Bay municipality have tested positive for asbestos, with more samples sent off for testing from five other sites.
The latest sites to have the confirmed presence of asbestos are Altona Coastal Park in Altona and PJ Lynch Reserve in Altona North.
The sample taken from Dennis Reserve tested negative for asbestos.
Asbestos had already been confirmed at PA Burns Reserve in Altona, GJ Hosken Reserve in Alton North, Crofts Reserve in Altona North and Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood.
The EPA has advised Hobsons Bay council to restrict access to all six sites while remediation work is undertaken and officers investigate the source of the contamination.
As of Thursday, April 12, five sites are still awaiting test results including Truganina Park in Altona Meadows, Doug Grant Reserve in Altona, HD Graham Reserve in Altona Meadows, Laverton Creek at the rear of AB Shaw Reserve in Altona Meadows and Newport Lakes Reserve in Newport.
The authority said it inspected two of the council’s key mulch producers and did not find asbestos in the mulch for sale.
“While investigations continue, it appears that the two most likely sources of asbestos contamination are deposits after mulch is laid or it was already on the site and mulch laid over it, including new mulch that has been deposited on top of older mulch still present at the site,“ the regulator said on Wednesday.
“Hobsons Bay City Council has now inspected 15 out of 21 parks it has currently identified where mulch has been laid in the last 18 months.“
Under existing remedial notices Hobsons Bay council is required to report to EPA on the sources of mulch received over the past 18 months.
The EPA said it is working with the council on potential sources of mulch at the parks in Altona North, which is believed to have been delivered as far back as 2017.
“Based on EPA intelligence, we have also been inspecting potential sources over the past 48 hours.”
To report potential asbestos call EPA on 1300 372 842.
– with AAP
