Ratepayers could bear the costs of the clean up of asbestos that was found in parks in Hobsons Bay.
Asbestos was found in 23 sites in Hobsons Bay in April after material was found at Spotswood’s Donald McLean Reserve, which resulted in tests being carried out across the municipality.
The Environment Protection Authority (EP) Victoria said the source of contamination remains under investigation, but believes it is not due to contamination in mulch.
Councillor Daria Kellander took to social media in late June stating she was told ratepayers would bear the cost of the works, which left many ratepayers angry.
Many were asking why should ratepayers be responsible.
“Why should I pay for this incompetence,” one person commented. “Maybe the council could take a pay cut or make the supplier pay for this dangerous mess.”
Cr Kellander’s post came after she asked questions in relation to the cost at a May council meeting.
Council infrastructure and services director Matthew Irving said the total expenditure bill could be $200,000 to $220,000, but the cost would be fully understood once contractors completed their work.
“All costs so far had been borne by council as the responsible land manager, in accordance with the current EPA contamination management requirements,” he said.
“However, if council officers could clearly identify a connection with either a contractor or a supplier that has not fulfilled its contractual obligations, they would be looking to pursue recovery of costs accordingly.”
Last week, a Hobsons Bay spokesperson said the EPA believed the small amounts of asbestos-containing material found were mostly a result of dumping or legacy contamination at the sites, not the contamination of mulch.
“Costs will be confirmed once remediation works are complete,” the spokesperson said.
“Small sections of three reserves remain fenced off as remediation works are being completed, which is expected to be this month.”
As reported by Star Weekly, G J Hosken Reserve, Altona North, Donald McLean Reserve, Spotswood, and Croft Reserve, Altona North are still partly closed as remediation works are being completed..
