By Laura Wakely
ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria has given Cairnlea Estate the all-clear after carrying out soil samples at a number of sites.
The findings of the study, released this month, confirm previous EPA studies which stated the site is safe to live on.
The estate was the home of the Albion Explosives Factory, which closed in 1987, and concerns have been raised that the site hundreds of Brimbank residents call home was contaminated.
The EPA carried out a review of initial soil testing in 2007 and was forced to test land again after further complaints were made to the Victorian Ombudsman.
In the latest findings, the EPA have found the average zinc levels are 70 times less than the trigger point for health concerns, which is 7000 milligrams per kilogram.
An EPA spokesperson told Star the zinc was naturally occurring and not a result of the activities of the explosives factory.
“The site is unlikely to pose an unacceptable risk to either current or future users of the area,” the spokesperson said.
However, the EPA is refusing to release the full report, with the explanation that it is “not a public document”.
Cairnlea resident Jason Rooth said there had always been “rumours” that the estate had been contaminated, but said residents had to trust the EPA report.
“People are more concerned about the land at the start of Cairnlea Dr and Ballarat Rd,” Mr Rooth said.
“There’s a lot of soil there… if the wind kicks up in that area, they’re not sure what it’s spraying on their property.”
But Mr Rooth said the estate may need to be tested for a third time if more development occurs which removes the top soil.
