EPA has continued its investigations into the source of mulch delivered to impacted parks today.

EPA expects testing results from the weekend’s inspections of parks across Hobsons Bay City Council and Merri-Bek City Council to be available late in the afternoon, on Tuesday 9 April.

EPA is writing to all Victorian councils asking them to assess quality controls for landscaping works and supply contracts for garden mulch, and to demolition companies reminding them of their environmental compliance obligations in relation to asbestos management during demolition works.

   

EPA yesterday issued Hobsons Bay City Council with two remedial notices, ordering proactive inspections of more parks and gardens in its area as well as requiring further information from the council.

 

EPA requires Hobsons Bay City Council to investigate the nature and extent of any harm or risk of harm to human health arising from asbestos in reserves or land areas managed by the council.

 

Under the conditions the notices, Hobsons Bay City Council must commission a hygienist to inspect all council managed parks and gardens that have received mulch in the past 18 months.

 

Work should start today and must be completed by 10 May. The council will need to keep EPA updated daily of its inspections.

 

EPA will also review the council’s procedures regarding the sourcing of mulch, safety and quality checks, replacement and maintenance.

 

EPA has requested all reports dating back to July 2021, from council, its staff, contractors and the general public in regard to asbestos containing materials found in mulch at or around Hobsons Bay City Council infrastructure.

 

Hobsons Bay City Council must also provide EPA with a list of all suppliers used to source mulch by the council, its contractors and sub-contractors from the same time period.

 

Hobsons Bay City Council has until April 22 to comply with the notices.

 

EPA Victoria has launched a new incident page on our website. For the latest information visit: epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/incidents/response-to-potential-asbestos

 

Weekend inspections

 

For details of the weekend inspections refer to: epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/news-media-and-updates/media-releases-and-news/response-to-asbestos-8-april-noon-update

   

Illegal dumping

 

EPA investigations are showing much of the material found at these sites may a result of illegal dumping.

 

When determining if a case is likely to be illegal dumping, officers look at the size and placement of the material.

 

When suspected asbestos pieces are larger in size than the standard size mulch, it is unlikely the asbestos has been through the mulching process.

 

If the asbestos is sitting on the surface, rather than mixed into the mulch, it is most probably a recent addition to the mulch.

 

Officers also look for other signs of contamination in the area, such as more building waste and debris.

 

A combination of these factors has led EPA officers to believe illegal dumping is an issue in some parks. Investigations will continue.

 

Type of asbestos found

 

So far, the material confirmed as asbestos containing material is bonded asbestos, not the more dangerous friable asbestos.

 

Bonded asbestos is generally made up of a small amount of asbestos fibres that are tightly bound in a product such as resin or cement. It is considered low risk for people who are in contact with it, unless damage or bad weathering means that asbestos fibres can be released into the air.

 

It is not unusual for people to find pieces of bonded asbestos in their homes or in the community. If you find suspected asbestos, you should contact your local council environmental health officer or EPA. As a precaution, do not pick it up or handle it.

 

Regulatory controls

 

EPA has stringent requirements on the waste and recycling industry to prevent harm to our environment and human health, including from asbestos contamination. EPA carries out regular inspections of sites, including to assess the effectiveness of risk controls to prevent contamination from occurring.

 

There are significant penalties for those who do not comply with Victoria’s environment protection laws.

 

EPA recently completed a program of targeted inspections of 59 commercial garden mulch producers across the state. No asbestos was found, and risk controls were generally of a high standard, with six (6) sites required to make improvements.

 

Public reporting

 

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.