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Parks across Melbourne’s west will be inspected for asbestos after the cancer-causing fibres were found in mulch near a children’s playground in Spotswood.
Hobsons Bay Council confirmed on Wednesday that two pieces of compound material found at the Donald McLean Reserve had been tested and contained asbestos.
EPA officers inspecting tan bark that has some building waste in it at Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood.Credit: Justin McManus
On Thursday morning, the council said other sites using the mulch – a recycled product used around mature tree planting – would now be examined.
“The safety of our community is our priority and council is working with the EPA and the hygienist to inspect other sites using this mulch,” the council said in a statement.
This week’s asbestos discovery in Spotswood was first reported by a Melbourne father whose children were playing nearby. It follows a similar case in NSW, where asbestos-contaminated mulch was found at 75 sites, including seven schools.
Shadow Environment Minister James Newbury has called for the Allan government to explain how contaminated product came to be at the reserve and to guarantee that other parks are safe.
“Every parent will be deeply concerned about asbestos being found near where children play,” Newbury said. “Asbestos is seriously dangerous and it’s just not good enough that the substance was there.”
More to come.
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