HOBSONS Bay City Council will this week oversee the removal of asbestos dumped more than two months ago at an Altona Meadows public parkland.
“A remediation plan has been prepared and extensive testing, in excess of EPA requirements, is being carried out to determine the extent of contamination and classify the contaminated material,” a council spokesman said.
Contaminated material was moved to two sites after it was discovered late last year in Altona.
It was placed at HD Graham Reserve in Altona Meadows and Paisley Park in Newport after it was found at the new Bayfit Leisure Centre in Mason St, Altona, in early December 2006.
It was assessed as low-level contamination.
One concerned Altona resident, Geoff Mitchelmore, said at a public meeting last week that the asbestos – mixed up among the bricks, plastic and builders rubble – still remained at Queen St several months on.
Mr Mitchelmore questioned what plans were in place to remove the asbestos to a licensed, prescribed waste landfill.
Council confirmed the debris would be removed this week.
“As specified in the remediation plan, clean fill will be spread to cover the area to the required depth. Grassing and planting will follow in due time,” the council spokesman said.
Late last year, Mayor, Carl Marsich, said the soil posed a “minimal risk” to the community.
He said “appropriate protection measures” had been taken to contain and remove the contamination including fencing off the soil at both parks.
The contaminated soil was detected at Bayfit Leisure Centre when contractors began digging stormwater drains.
