Tara Murray
The construction of a new pocket park in North Sunshine has hit a speedbump with asbestos fragments found on the site.
Brimbank council recently discovered minor quantities of asbestos fragments at the Cary Street Pocket Park project site as they started to commence works on the project.
Council acting director for infrastructure and city services Trent Prince said the council has been advised that the levels of asbestos poses a very low risk to human health.
“Work will be undertaken by experienced contaminated soil remediation contractors, in accordance with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and WorkSafe Victoria guidelines to ensure the soil is safely removed,” he said.
“Workers will be wearing personal protective equipment and will monitor site conditions, including air sampling, to maintain safety.
“The site will be reinstated to original ground levels with clean fill material and topsoil to provide a blank canvas for the pocket park construction.
“The soil remediation works are anticipated to commence in the coming weeks.”
A letter has been distributed to neighbouring residents, to notify all concerned about the expected remediation works, the dates and contact details for enquiries.
The letter, which has been seen by Star Weekly, said that the asbestos-containing material fragments were buried in the top 500 millimetres of soil on the site.
It said the work to remove the material and get it back to the original ground levels may take up to two weeks and will occur late in January, with residents to receive a letter from the contractor closer to the date.
The construction of the pocket park will commence following the soil remediation works.
The park will include a playground, fitness equipment, shelter, seating, pathways and plantings.
The project is being jointly funded by Brimbank City Council and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
