Non-friable asbestos is considered low risk to human health and the environment and there is no risk of airborne asbestos where it was found.
A site remediation plan has been activated to ensure all precautions are underway as quickly as possible.
Our Council officers have been auditing playgrounds and their surrounds since asbestos first started being detected from February in some New South Wales and Victorian parks and playgrounds.
In an extra precaution, an independent expert hygienist was hired by Council to undertake additional inspections. The cement sheeting, about 5 cm wide, was detected by the hygienist in a garden bed about 30 metres from the Point Ormond Playground.
This is the first time asbestos has been discovered during these precautionary checks.
The area has been fenced off and all material in a five-metre radius will be removed and replaced by new mulch sourced from Council's tree trimming program.
The playground remains open and ready to be enjoyed today as there are no safety concerns affecting it. Point Ormond Reserve, apart from the fenced off area, is also safe to access.
Mayor Heather Cunsolo said it was highly unlikely that mulch was the source of the problem.
"As with many inner Melbourne municipalities, we know asbestos had previously been found in this area and this material was probably buried under the soil," Cr Cunsolo said.
"As we take community safety very seriously, we will still continue to check and recheck mulch at our playgrounds and their surrounds and require contractors to screen any mulch they supply."
Cr Cunsolo advised anyone with concerns about public open spaces to contact Council so officers can investigate.
Mandatory reporting to WorkSafe and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria will happen as soon as the required testing certificate had been received.
Background
When asbestos was detected in NSW parks, our Council swiftly implemented additional protective steps including requiring:
• all mulch suppliers to provide a certificate of compliance that their products meet strict safety standards and don't contain any asbestos contaminants
• contractors to independently test all mulch products arriving at their depots before they can be used in Council playgrounds. This testing process is to ensure mulch is free from any hazardous materials, including asbestos, before it is dispersed.
All mulch used in garden beds and native vegetation areas in the City of Port Phillip is sourced from Council's tree trimming program, which repurposes vegetation. This sustainable practice promotes environmental conservation while ensuring mulch is of the highest quality and safety standards.
