Hannah Hammoud
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has given Fitzgerald Square Reserve in Sunshine West the all clear after samples of mulch were tested for asbestos.
The EPA received a clearance certificate on April 14, from an independent hygienist for Fitzgerald Square Reserve, Sunshine West in the Brimbank council area, with inspections showing the site clear of contamination.
Of the eight pieces of suspect material collected from the reserve and sent for testing, only one tested positive as asbestos containing material.
EPA officers were first onsite on April 9, at the Callaway Boulevard reserve investigating, with samples taken for priority testing.
The asbestos scare started in neighbouring Hobsons Bay where mulch at a number of reserves and parks was found to contain bonded asbestos including at Crofts Reserve, Hosken Reserve and Lynch Reserve, all in Altona North, as well as Burns Reserve, Altona and Donald McLean Reserve, Spotswood. Asbestos has also been found at Merri-bek council’s Shore Reserve in Pascoe Vale South.
Brimbank council infrastructure and city services acting director Tom Razmovski said community safety is council’s priority.
“… Council will continue to monitor and inspect its parks and reserves, and act quickly to ensure public safety if any contaminated material is found,” he said.
Mr Razmovski said in addition to council’s regular inspections, it also carried out visual inspections at select council sites including Green Gully Reserve and The Lakes Reserve.
Mr Razmovski said no evidence of foreign substances has been found in the mulch at these sites.
“We primarily use tree chipper mulch in our parks and reserves, made from Brimbank trees that have been pruned, removed, or damaged as a result of storms. These trees are collected and chipped on site and then stored at our depot for crew to pick up and use in parks,” he said.
“Most of the mulch used at council sites is supplied by council, only a small portion of mulch used in our parks and gardens is supplied by contractors.”
For more information on parks and reserves being investigated for potential asbestos contamination visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/incidents/response-to-potential-asbestos
