Director of sustainability and community Matt Jarvis confirmed at the council meeting on September 27 that issues with asbestos contamination at sites in Yarrawonga, Strathmerton and Tungamah had been addressed.
A commission of inquiry into council’s activities found it had illegally dumped asbestos-contaminated material into the transfer stations, which weren’t suitable to hold the dangerous material.
Since the commission of inquiry and the appointment of the panel of administrators, council has been working to remediate the sites.
According to Mr Jarvis, all three sites have been declared safe by an independent hygienist after Enviropacific, the business contracted to carry out the remediation works, completed its work.
During the works, council and Enviropacific worked closely to ensure all safety precautions were followed.
“Signage and communication regarding the remediation works and closures were put in place,” Mr Jarvis said.
“Other risk management measures included the employment of the independent hygienist to also monitor air quality, dust-suppression measures were also utilised, and contractors working on site wore appropriate personal protection equipment.”
After the meeting, Mr Tanner said the whole asbestos episode showed the importance of following clear procedures and that council was determined not to allow such incidents to occur again.
“It highlights the fact that you cannot take any shortcuts when you’ve got important issues like this ... this is about people’s health and wellbeing,” he said.
“There is a process you must work through. There is a licensing process as far as removal and transfer of asbestos. And that wasn’t adhered to. And now we’ve rectified that in regards to any remedies of asbestos, and we’re ensuring that we have policies in place not to allow this to happen in the future.”
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