EPA is continuing to investigate reports of asbestos contamination in mulch, has sent suspected contaminated materials for laboratory testing and is working with local government on having sites remediated.
City of Casey has reported to EPA that small pieces of bonded asbestos-containing material have been discovered in a mulched garden bed at Minihans Reserve in Cranbourne, following a proactive inspection program that has so far assessed 30 locations. Access to the site has been restricted while further assessment is underway. EPA officers will attend the site tomorrow, Tuesday 16 April.
EPA's investigations have now cleared three producers of mulch used by Hobsons Bay City Council, with recent inspections by EPA confirming they have appropriate contamination controls at their sites and had no visible asbestos-containing material in mulch products when inspected by EPA.
Sites in Hobsons Bay City Council area are still being actively assessed. Twenty-one (21) public spaces that had recycled mulch applied over the past 18 months have now been inspected by an independent hygienist, with suspect materials sent for priority testing.
Eight (8) sites have had potential asbestos-containing material collected for testing, with results expected Tuesday 16 April for seven (7) sites and one (1) later in the week.
Six (6) sites have tested positive for asbestos-containing material and are under active management. This includes Don McLean Reserve in Spotswood where asbestos-containing material was first identified under a tree.
Seven (7) sites that received mulch over the last 18 months have now been cleared of contamination.
Sites where asbestos-containing material has been detected are being actively managed to prevent public access until the site is cleared of any visible contamination.
EPA has reiterated that after more than 30 inspections of parks and reserves, less than a half a shopping bag of suspect material has been found. All of it has been removed and sent for testing.
All the materials were in bonded form and present a negligible health risk.
New information:
Hobsons Bay City Council
Grieve Parade, Altona
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, samples of potential asbestos-containing material were taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
Cherry Lake Buffer Mound and Wetland, Altona
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, samples of potential asbestos-containing material were taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
Kororoit Creek Reserve, Altona North
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, samples of potential asbestos-containing material were taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
Federation Trail, Brooklyn
The site is managed by the Department of Transport. After the discovery of potential asbestos-containing material, Hobsons Bay City Council has notified the department and material has been taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
City of Casey
Minihans Reserve, Cranbourne
Small pieces of bonded asbestos-containing material have been discovered in a mulched garden bed. Access to the site has been restricted while further assessment is underway.
City of Casey has restricted access to the area while further assessment is undertaken.
The source of contamination is under investigation.
Status of all sites:
Hobsons Bay City Council area
Altona Coastal Park
Asbestos-containing material has been confirmed at the site.
Council reports thearea has been fenced and signs have been erected while it implements its remediation plan.
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 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. The most 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.
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 remediated. This is likely to be completed in the week of 15 April.
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.
The most likely source of contamination is illegal dumping.
Truganina Park, Altona Meadows
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, one sample ofpotentialasbestos-containing material was taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
Doug Grant Reserve, Altona
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, pieces ofpotentialasbestos-containing material were taken from one location in the reserve for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
It is suspected thatpotentialasbestos-containing material was contained in building rubble 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 ofpotentialasbestos-containing material were taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
Newport Lakes Reserve, Newport
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, three samples ofpotentialasbestos-containing material were taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
Grieve Parade, Altona
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, samples ofpotentialasbestos-containing material were taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
Cherry Lake Buffer Mound and Wetland, Altona
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, samples ofpotentialasbestos-containing material were taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
Kororoit Creek Reserve, Altona North
After being inspected by a hygienist engaged by Hobsons Bay City Council, samples ofpotentialasbestos-containing material were taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
Federation Trail, Brooklyn
The site is managed by the Department of Transport. After the discovery of potential asbestos-containing material, Hobsons Bay City Council has notified the department and material has been taken for priority testing.
Test results are pending.
City of Casey
Minihans Reserve, Cranbourne
Small pieces of bonded asbestos-containing material have been discovered in a mulched garden bed. Access to the site has been restricted while further assessment is underway.
City of Casey has restricted access to the area while further assessment is undertaken.
The source of contamination is under investigation.
