By Christine de Kock
SOIL contaminated with asbestos and lead around the Footscray Wharf has again thrust the Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) into the spotlight.
A report commissioned by the PoMC in 2004 found there was asbestos and lead contamination on the site.
Three reports were compiled by consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff in January, May and August 2004.
These reports identified contaminated sites and suggested ways to reduce the contamination at the Footscray Wharf.
Three underground tanks and a petrol bowser, which were no longer being used, were removed as a result of the recommendations.
Consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff found the contaminated soil was not disturbed and that as a result there was little health risk.
In a statement issued to Star, PoMC stated: “This assessment concluded that air sampling results are consistent with ambient air levels (and below national exposure limits), indicating a negligible asbestos-related health risk to occupants of the site and the general public.”
The port authority also stated that “most of the site is sealed, which reduces the opportunity for site users to come into contact with contamination”.
PoMC expected remediation of the site when it undertakes building work on Footscray wharf.
The company has not announced a time frame for the remediation or the beginning of building work.
That will be decided after PoMC officials hold talks with the Maribyrnong City Council in the near future.
Mayor Janet Rice made it quite clear that the council wanted to see the site cleaned up.
She said the council became aware of the contamination only after an official of the the Port of Melbourne Corporation got in touch.
This was to let the council know an article about the contamination would appear in The Age newspaper on the following day.
Council officers expect to meet the PoMC representatives next month to discuss the issue and their plans for the wharf.
“I am looking forward to the Port’s briefing,” Cr Rice said.
“I’m keen to see a good flow of information between the Port and council,” she said.
“We are interested in keeping the waterfront active and vibrant.”
The disclosure of the contamination report comes after the PoMC’s move last year to evict boat owners from Footscray Wharf.
