Thursday 11 April, 2024

Following earlier reports of asbestos contaminated sites in Merri-bek, we wanted to keep you informed and reassured as updates become available. 

We’re happy to report that Shore Reserve in Pascoe Vale South has now reopened for safe community use.  The site has been confirmed safe by the EPA, with a clearance certificate issued after inspection by qualified, occupational hygienists.

A section of Merri Creek Parklands near Leonard Street, Fawkner remains closed.  Qualified staff and contractors have removed visible pieces of asbestos and Council continues to work with the EPA on ongoing management of the site.

Safety of the community remains our top priority and we remain committed to keeping you informed as this work progresses.  

We will continue to provide updates as they become available and thank the community for the cooperation and patience.  

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Tuesday 9 April, 2024

Following reports yesterday of potential and confirmed asbestos contamination at 3 sites across Merri-bek, we wish to keep you updated and reassured on any updates across the last 24 hrs.   

Hosken Reserve, North Coburg 

Construction work at Hosken Reserve is progressing as planned. Remediation works to remove asbestos contaminated soil continues, with qualified hygienists and asbestos removalists on site.  All of Hosken Reserve remains closed to the public as a precaution.    

Merri Creek Parklands near Leonard Street, Fawkner 

A section of Merri Creek Parklands near Leonard Street in Fawkner remains closed to the public as a precaution after asbestos was discovered at the site. Qualified Asbestos removalist and hygienists are on site to remove any contaminated material. Air monitoring is in place to ensure public safety.   

Shore Reserve in Pascoe Vale South  

We received advice from the EPA yesterday that while testing of potential asbestos removed from the site continued, a portion of the site should be closed for public safety. On this advice, an area of Shore Reserve, including the northern playground was closed on Monday 8 April as a precaution. Qualified Asbestos removalist and hygienists have been at the site today and air monitoring is in place to ensure public safety.   

The safety of the community remains our utmost priority and we continue to work closely with the EPA as investigation and remediation works continue, while following all relevant safety guidelines and procedures. We thank the community for your cooperation as we work through these cases as a priority.  

Our open space maintenance teams are in our parks regularly, at least once a month, and report any potential contamination. We respond to any reports of potential asbestos contamination as a priority and follow nationally recognised, safe operating procedures throughout any works undertaken.   

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Monday 8 April, 2024

Following reports of asbestos found within a construction site at Hosken Reserve in Coburg North, we wish to update the community there are two further sites being managed in relation to suspected or confirmed asbestos.  

The first is Merri Creek Parklands near Leonard Street, Fawkner, where samples tested over the weekend have been confirmed as containing asbestos. 

The second is Shore Reserve in Pascoe Vale South, where over the weekend, samples suspected of containing asbestos were removed for testing. 

The potential and confirmed asbestos contamination at all three sites is not believed to be linked to any supply of mulch and are non-friable, meaning it cannot be crumbled or released into the air. Council continues to work closely with the EPA as investigation and remediation works continue and is following all relevant safety guidelines and procedures. 

Further updates at each site follow, and we will continue to keep the community updated. 

Hosken Reserve, Coburg North 

Remediation works for the safe removal of asbestos from soil discovered during construction works continue at Hosken Reserve, Coburg North. WorkSafe Victoria visited the site earlier today and found it in accordance with Work Health and Safety Requirements. Public health and safety at the site remains our top priority and we will keep the community informed as this work continues.   

Shore Reserve, Pascoe Vale South  

EPA officers inspected Shore Reserve in Pascoe Vale South over the weekend following reports of potential asbestos sightings. The EPA has confirmed their officers removed three large pieces of suspected asbestos, which were sent for priority testing.  

Council has been working closely with the EPA. The EPA confirmed these pieces are considerably larger than mulch and are most likely to have been brought to the site via illegal dumping activities. The EPA has advised that no further similar pieces of contaminated material have been found at the site. Council will continue to follow the EPA’s recommendations and as a precaution is temporarily closing the northern playground in the reserve (near Reynard Street) until clearance has been validated by the EPA. 

Merri Creek Parklands near Leonard Street, Fawkner. 

Council was notified last Friday of an asbestos sighting at Merri Creek Parklands, near Leonard Street in Fawkner. At the recommendation of the EPA, Council taped off a section of the parklands in Fawkner on Friday afternoon and arranged for licensed contractors to take samples from the site for testing.  

This testing confirmed asbestos to be present in the samples. Sections of Merri Creek Parklands near Leonard Street have now been closed to the public and Council staff and contractors are following all appropriate safety procedures as remediation measures occur.  

Asbestos in the parklands was identified following recent heavy rainfall—with erosion exposing previously buried fragments.  There is no suggestion that these findings are due to mulch being brought into the site and it is possible the previously buried fragments are related to past illegal dumping.  

We urge people not to enter the area while the fencing is in place – remediation works will be undertaken as soon as practical.  Throughout this time, the safety of our community remains our utmost priority. We thank people for their cooperation as we work in collaboration with the EPA. 

Further information - Source of asbestos findings and mulch testing in Merri-bek 

The confirmed and potential asbestos contamination at all three sites is not believed to be linked to any landscaping activity. Asbestos has not been detected in any materials (topsoil or mulch for example) being brought on to any of the sites. There is no evidence available to suggest these incidents are related to any other asbestos contamination cases across the state or nationally. All asbestos at this stage also appears to be non-friable. Non-friable asbestos is solid and cannot be crumbled or released into the air. 

Council is dedicated to the safety of the community and ensuring all mulch and fill in our parklands and outdoor spaces is safe and contamination free.  

The bulk of all mulch used in public spaces in Merri-bek comes from our own pruning and trimming activities. Although contamination of this material is extremely unlikely, it is monitored frequently to ensure public health and safety. A small portion of mulch and fill used in Merri-bek is also provided by outside suppliers.

To ensure public safety, Council is also looking into our supply chain and investigating further testing on existing mulch and fill used in our parks and outdoor spaces. We are committed to working in collaboration with the EPA to ensure our public outdoor spaces remain safe and contamination free.  

Safety of the community and staff remains our utmost priority throughout these remediation and investigatory works and we will continue to take all necessary precautions. All works undertaken have been overseen by industry experts including hygienists and licensed asbestos removalists and follow national safe working guidelines.