Anger at asbestos left in Juc reserve

ERIN PEARSON
SURF Coast Shire failed to act on asbestos in a Jan Juc reserve for more than a month, according to residents.
Friends of Jan Juc Creek Reserve spokesman Sid Pope said a member contacted the shire with concerns about contaminated soil on January 9.
But Environmental Protection Authority said it was left unaware of the asbestos until February 17.
RACV, which has a subcontractor working on the site, said it was notified on February 22.
Mr Pope said friends members noticed building rubble in the in-fill soil after RACV installed a stormwater pipe through the area.
“We have real concern about the health and welfare of the community, particularly people living in the area or frequenting the reserve.”
EPA confirmed asbestos was discovered in the reserve between Duffields Rd and Hoylake Ave on Wednesday.
“Surf Coast Shire was contacted and committed to instructing the responsible contractors to remove the waste material,” an EPA spokesman said.
“Last week EPA inspected the site, took samples of suspected asbestos and advised SCS that the area should be cordoned off.
“The site has now been fenced off and signage has been erected.”
RACV project manager Bruce Van Every believed the subcontractor had sourced the soil from somewhere other than the project site.
He said RACV was still trying to ascertain when the Independent went to press on Wednesday whether the infill was unearthed during initial digging, brought in from another site or dumped by a third party.
“RACV regards this matter extremely seriously and took immediate and strong action when it became aware of the contamination on the advice of Council Officers on February 21, 2012,” Mr Van Every said.
“RACV is working with the Surf Coast Shire to identify the likely source and extent of the contamination.”
RACV contractor Kane Constructions, which subcontracted the reserve piping works, refused to comment.
The incident follows an asbestos scare at Bells Beach 12 months ago.
The Independent discovered chunks of the material in the sand from a damaged and exposed asbestos pipe beside stairs to the beach.
Surfers and Geelong’s Trades Hall boss criticised the shire for taking weeks to act on the asbestos.
Surf Coast Shire refuses to answer questions from the Independent.