The City of Casey has completed clean-up works at Minihans Reserve — in Melbourne, Victoria — after a small sample from a mulched garden bed tested positive for asbestos.
A clearance certificate has been issued for the site, and fencing around the area has been removed.
The discovery was made as part of the council’s proactive inspection program of parks and playgrounds across Casey.
Thirty locations have been inspected to date, with Minihans Reserve being the only site where asbestos was found.
Council teams took immediate action to prevent public access to the site and conducted further testing on April 12, which continued into the next week.
Although the asbestos was in a stable, low-risk form, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has been notified, and the area will remain closed until a full assessment is completed.
It’s important to note that the asbestos was not found near the playground area, and the mulch used in playgrounds is a high-grade commercially produced soft mulch.
Mulch in garden beds and other open spaces is sourced from recycled trees only.
The City of Casey continues to follow guidance and advice from the EPA regarding the management of asbestos in open spaces.
If you have visited a site where asbestos has been detected, the risk is low, but it’s advisable to avoid digging up plant beds, mulch, and dirt when enjoying parks and open spaces.
If you notice building waste or other contaminated material on Council land, do not disturb it and report it to the council for appropriate action.
For more information on asbestos and the City of Casey’s response, visit the Asbestos in Victoria website and the EPA’s website.