High levels of asbestos have been detected in illegally dumped material at a protected environmental site in Victoria. Early estimates place the volume of contaminated fill in the tens of thousands.
The site in the Truganina grassland area is a conservation area and was discovered by a member of the Grassy Plains Network, a conservationist Group. The level of contamination is so high that the Environmental Protection Agency has erected signage warning against people entering the site.
“First, it was complete disregard for environmental values. Now it’s disregard for human health,” said Adrian Marshall, facilitator at the Grassy Plains Network.
“This illegal dumping was already an environmental tragedy but now it could have dangerous ramifications for the truckies who were directed to do it.”
The contamination or dumping occurred between December of 2021 and January this year. WorkSafe Victoria has confirmed it is investigating the incident due to concerns for workers’ health.
The area, known as Conservation Area 9, is one of the 36 biodiversity sites that has mandated protections as part of a joint state and federal government initiative, known as the Melbourne Strategic Assessment. The conservation areas are aimed at protecting vegetation in growth corridors around Melbourne.
“This shows us how vulnerable a grassland in private hands can be,” Dr Marshall said.
“Not only can a privately held grassland be mismanaged with impunity, letting weeds smother the biodiversity, but they can be overgrazed as well, and there is damn well nothing that can be done.
“Some are heavily grazed. Developers are trying to build houses on them. Some are even being cropped. This is an unfolding environmental disaster.”
Both conservation groups and community organisations are calling on the Albanese Government to ensure the legal protection of the site and look at how the affected area can be rehabilitated and restored.