‘Environmental tragedy’: Asbestos-contaminated soil discovered in Truganina

Asbestos has been discovered in soil dumped at a conservation site for endangered native grasslands in Melbourne’s west.

The environmental watchdog is investigating after asbestos was found in soil dumped at a conservation site for critically endangered grasslands.

The 40ha Truganina site in Melbourne’s west contains some of the last remaining native grasslands in Victoria and was partially destroyed earlier this year when dumped soil was discovered on the property.

The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation into the management of the privately-owned site by the Environmental Protection Authority, which has confirmed asbestos and other industrial waste was found in soil samples.

“There are no immediate impacts on community or environment,” an EPA spokesman said.

“We will continue to work on the issue to ensure risks are properly addressed and will take all appropriate enforcement action until there is a long-term, satisfactory outcome.”

Soil covers land previously home to native grasslands at a conservation site in Truganina. Picture: Adrian Marshall

Local residents have been informed and signs have been erected to warn people not to enter the area.

The spokesman said the property owner and the company alleged to have moved the soil have been served with notices “requiring more information be provided to assist EPA’s investigation and decision making”.

“As there is an investigation into this matter, we are limited in the information we can provide at this time but will continue to maintain community safety, particularly those near the site, as it progresses,” he said.

Advocacy group Grassy Plains Network facilitator Adrian Marshall has described the incident as an “environmental tragedy”.

Grassy Plains Network facilitator Adrian Marshall. Picture: Liam Beatty.

“This shows us how vulnerable a grassland in private hands can be,” he said.

“First it was complete disregard for environmental values. Now it’s disregard for human health.”

According to Dr Marshall, the land at 643-707 Mt Atkinson Road was designated a biodiversity hotspot in 2010 and mandated for environmental protection as part of the Melbourne Strategic Assessment.

Pollution issues can be reported to the EPA on 1300 372 842.