Potential asbestos in parks – update 1 Tuesday 9 April
EPA Victoria continues to investigate sources of mulch delivered to parks and reserves where possible traces of asbestos have been reported.
We are receiving a lot of information and enquiries from community, including related to residential properties. These will be managed through normal business processes.
We are also continuing to prioritise our response and investigations into public parks and reserves.
Our updates to community on potential asbestos in parks and reserves will be ongoing as the situation evolves.
New reports of potential asbestos in parks
EPA is actively investigating three new reports of potential traces of asbestos in mulch overnight:
Dennis Reserve, Williamstown, Hobsons Bay City Council
Potential material reported as likely to contain traces of asbestos in garden beds near a bowls club. EPA officers are onsite and investigating.
Fitzgerald Square Reserve, Callaway Blvd, Sunshine West, Brimbank City Council
Reports of traces in mulch withing the park. EPA officers are onsite and investigating, with samples taken for priority testing.
Altona Coastal Park
Under existing EPA remedial notices Hobsons Bay City Council has also informed EPA they are actively investigating a potential new asbestos site. EPA expects to receive a report from the council shortly.
Supply chain investigations
Under existing remedial notices Hobsons Bay City Council is required to report to EPA on the sources of mulch received over the past 18 months.
EPA is also working with Hobsons Bay City 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.
EPA expects to receive test results from the weekend's inspections of parks across Hobsons Bay City Council and Merri-Bek City Council this afternoon, Tuesday 9 April.
Public reporting
For the latest information on parks and reserves being investigated for potential asbestos contamination visit https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/incidents/response-to-potential-asbestos
Dumping of construction and demolition waste is illegal and we encourage community to report any suspicious activities to EPA on 1300 372 842. To report potential asbestos, press option 2, then option 6.
