An Echuca resident has discovered asbestos littered along popular walking and cycling tracks in Banyula Forest, raising serious public health concerns.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
In September last year, the resident, who did not wish to be named, reported a dumped mattress in the forest on Sawmill Track, near the Anstruther and Hovell Sts intersection.
Initially believing its removal would fall to Campaspe Shire Council, the resident was informed the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action was responsible for the area.
The resident contacted DEECA twice about the dumping over the span of about two months, meanwhile continuing to take regular walks through the forest.
“After my second conversation with them they were complaining about how there was union activity and work stoppages and so forth,” the resident said.
“I then notified them of a heap of other rubbish, because it had just grown and grown.
“And then I found the asbestos.”
With a background in environmental management and science, the resident recognised the material and removed a piece from the ground for testing.
The contact they engaged ― a National Association of Testing Authorities accredited organisation ― tested the “fibrous cement sheet” sample at a Melbourne laboratory in mid-January.
A document seen by the Riv showed chrysotile asbestos, commonly known as white asbestos, was detected in the sample.
According to the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, there is “unequivocal” evidence the material can cause different types of cancer and lung diseases, including mesothelioma, with no safe level of exposure advised.
“Given that this particular area of asbestos has been broken up by vehicles, that means the asbestos fibres have been liberated from the material, and will now be sitting in the dirt and dust,” the resident said.
“The other day, mum and dad and two little kids on push-bikes would have ridden through that. Dad in the front would have kicked up the dust straight into the two kids and mum following behind.”
In early February, a DEECA spokesperson said it was currently investigating the extent of the asbestos.
“It is believed that the asbestos relates to former dwellings that existed in the area up to the 1970s,” they said.
A handful of shacks were established at Shinbone Alley in the 1860s, with the settlement growing throughout the 1930s before being slowly abandoned due to flooding and drought.
The area’s last house was demolished in 1972 according to Echuca Historical Society.
The spokesperson said residents should not touch litter in the area, which will be fenced off to exclude people.
“DEECA is also investigating further options to manage the asbestos in the longer term,” they said.
Works are expected to begin in the coming weeks, and tape has since appeared to warn the public of sites containing asbestos.
In December, Campaspe Shire Council voted to close unused roads in the forest, including Shinbone Alley, supporting the proposed Echuca Historic and Cultural Features Reserve.
It is currently unclear if the asbestos discovery will impact the reserve’s progression, which is planned to include interpretive historic walking trails.
More of the material has been discovered “every day” by the concerned resident since their initial report.
“It's a very valuable local asset from a community perspective, as a recreational reserve, but it's not being managed,” the resident said.
“They (DEECA) need to remediate the issue of asbestos and rubbish and then come up with a proper management strategy to preserve it.”
The dumped mattress they initially reported was untouched in early February and further household items, including stools, had been ditched nearby.
Illegal dumping can be reported to the Environment Protection Agency by phoning 1300 372 542 while DEECA can be contacted by phoning 136 186