Community concerns about asbestos which remains sealed off in Brimbank Park more than eight months after it was discovered will be raised in state parliament this week.
Greens MP for Western Metropolitan Region Colleen Hartland said it was “ridiculous” Parks Victoria had not taken any action to remove the asbestos which was found dumped in December.
Between three and five hectares of land between Green Gully Road and Kulin Wetlands was fenced off in February after the scattered fragments were identified as “lower risk”, broken asbestos cement sheeting.
Parks Victoria Melbourne region executive director Chris Hardman told Star Weekly in June the dangerous substance was found at the park’s western entrance, on both sides of the Taylors Creek access trail.
However, a site assessment “to determine the extent of the material to be removed” has been held up due to the indigenous significance of the area.
Parks Victoria has consulted Wurundjeri people about the presence of “artefacts or culturally sensitive material”.
“No site works will commence until Parks Victoria has received the appropriate permit,” Mr Hardman said.
However Ms Hartland said it was time for action and would ask the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio in state parliament this week when remediation would occur.
“While we support Parks Victoria consulting with the indigenous community, it’s ridiculous that eight months down the track we haven’t seen any action,” she said.
“This should not take eight months. This is far too long for this material to be left out in the open and too long for the community to be cut off from this parkland.”
Greens candidate for Brimbank council Alex Schlotzer said “the community deserve access to a safe park environment”.
“We will do what we can to get this problem solved as soon as possible,” he said.
Weekly air monitoring has found no airborne fibre readings, Parks Victoria said back in June.
Parks Victoria has not responded to Star Weekly’s inquiries.
