EPA Victoria's investigation of asbestos in mulch in parks and reserves has cleared the two key producers of mulch used by Hobsons Bay City Council and established that where asbestos has been found so far, it is in small amounts, in bonded form and presents a negligible health risk.
While EPA is continuing to investigate supply chains for the mulch based on the information being provided to it by Hobsons Bay City Council, it is focusing on contamination having occurred through means other than mulch production – including that it was already present on site or was deposited at the site by other means.
This is because of the small number and size of the bonded asbestos pieces found is not the same size as the timber in the mulch. It is not scattered throughout mulch at the site as would be expected if the asbestos containing material went through the mulching process.
EPA's proactive inspections of 59 commercial mulch producers in March this year that use recycled timbers, found no asbestos contamination in mulch at these premises and generally good controls in place to prevent contamination.
Despite the negligible risk of the small number of bonded asbestos pieces found to date, EPA is coordinating with local government to have them engage hygienists to remove any visible asbestos containing material and advise when identified reserves are clear of asbestos.
Taking a precautionary approach, EPA has communicated to all councils in Victoria advising them to examine their quality control measures to ensure their laid mulch is free of contamination regardless of where it may have come from. This includes conducting regular checks to ensure mulch remains free of contamination.
"What we're seeing is small, light pieces of bonded asbestos that appears to either have already been present with mulch laid over the top of it, or it has been tracked on to parks via some other means like dumping and littering, or washed in by heavy rains and weather," said EPA State Agency Commander Dan Hunt.
"While we are continuing to investigate, EPA's work to date indicates that the small amounts of asbestos containing material being found in parks and reserves is not from mulch."
"The General Environmental Duty is the cornerstone of the Environment Protection Act 2017 and requires all Victorians to ensure they take action to prevent and manage risks to human health and the environment. Under this duty, councils and all public land managers have a clear responsibility to be proactively assessing the land they manage, including for contamination."
Those laws also apply to resource recovery facilities – including commercial mulch producers that use recycled timbers in their products - to prevent asbestos from entering the mulch production process. Non-compliance with Victoria's environmental protection laws can attract fines of up to $4 million and 5-years in prison for serious offences.
New information:
Hobsons Bay City Council area
HD Graham Reserve
Samples taken Thursday, 11 April have tested negative for asbestos
Status of all sites:
Hobsons Bay City Council area
Altona Coastal Park
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
EPA has required the area be fenced and remediation works undertaken.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site in multiple batches between September 2021 and February 2023.
The mulch producer is known to EPA and has been inspected and cleared of having contamination in mulch products.
The source of contamination is still under investigation.
PA Burns Reserve, Altona
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Hobsons Bay City Council has restricted access to the area while it implements its remediation plan.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site in December 2023.
The mulch supplier is known to EPA and is being investigated.
The likely cause of contamination is underlying building waste on top of which the mulch was laid.
GJ Hosken Reserve, Altona North
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Hobsons Bay City Council has restricted access to the area while it implements its remediation plan.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site between April and May 2022.
The mulch producer is known to EPA and has been inspected and cleared of having contamination in mulch products at its premises.
The source of contamination is still under investigation.
Crofts Reserve, Altona North
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Hobsons Bay City Council has restricted access to the area while it implements its remediation plan.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site in September 2023.
The mulch producer is known to EPA and has been inspected and cleared of having contamination in mulch products at its premises.
The source of contamination is still under investigation.
Dennis Reserve, Williamstown
Samples taken Tuesday, 9 April have tested negative for asbestos
PJ Lynch Reserve, Altona North
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Hobsons Bay City Council has restricted access to the area while it implements its remediation plan.
Hobson's Bay has confirmed the mulch was laid prior to 2015 and cannot provide information on the producer.
The source of contamination is still under investigation.
Donald McLean Reserve, Spotswood.
Asbestos containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Council has fenced off the affected area which is being remediating. This is likely to be completed by early next week.
Mulch was most recently laid at the site in November 2022.
The mulch producer is known to EPA and has been inspected and cleared of having contamination in mulch products at its premises.
Source of contamination is most likely illegal dumping.
HD Graham Reserve, Altona Meadows
Samples taken Thursday, 11 April have tested negative for asbestos
Truganina Park, Altona Meadows
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, one sample of potential asbestos containing material was taken for priority testing on Thursday, 11 April.
Test Results are pending.
Doug Grant Reserve, Altona
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, pieces of potential asbestos containing material were taken from one location in the reserve for priority testing on Thursday, 11 April.
Test results are pending.
It is suspected that potential asbestos containing material was contained in building rubble which was generated during gardening excavation works.
Laverton Creek at the rear of AB Shaw Reserve, Altona Meadows
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, two samples of potential asbestos containing material were taken for priority testing on Thursday, 11 April.
Test results are pending.
Newport Lakes Reserve, Newport
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, samples of potential asbestos containing material were taken for priority testing on Thursday, 11 April.
Test results are pending.
Brimbank Council area
Fitzgerald Square Reserve, Sunshine West
Of the 8 samples sent for testing, one has been confirmed as asbestos containing material.
The one sample that tested positive, whilst small, is too large in size to have been part of the mulch product.
EPA has advised council on remediation.
Merri-bek City Council area
Shore Reserve, Pascoe Vale South
Three small samples at the site were tested and shown to be asbestos containing material.
The Reserve has now been inspected by an occupational hygienist and a Clearance Certificate issued.
This allows Merri-bek council to fully reopen the Reserve for normal use by the community.
