Asbestos scare

By Kath Gannaway
THE dumping of potentially deadly asbestos pipes by the Yarra River at Woori Yallock has prompted the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to act on what has become a dangerous area for rubbish.
Woori Yallock resident Michael Carr was walking with his children when he discovered the five asbestos pipes.
Mr Carr contacted the Mail a year ago when household rubbish, syringes and nappies were dumped in the same area but he says the asbestos has taken the problem to another level.
“It stopped for a while but now it’s back just the same and with this latest incident it becomes even more of a health hazard.” he said.
“You just can’t believe the mentality – people really need to get their priorities in order,” he said of the offenders.
Mr Carr said the area was accessible because a track had been turned into a de facto road by people illegally driving into the reserve.
A gate barring access from the adjacent car park is broken.
“If people can’t get vehicles in at night the problem would be solved,” Mr Carr said.
“You see people down here at all hours of the night and that’s when this sort of thing, and who knows what else, goes on.
“It needs an effective gate which is closed at 5pm and opened again in the morning,” he said.
The Mail contacted Melbourne Water which sent a crew out to investigate and returned the next day with anti-asbestos suits and equipment to remove the pipes.
Melbourne Water spokeswoman Gillian Cooper said although the land was not the responsibility of Melbourne Water the company recognised the need to have the pipes removed quickly and were happy to do it.
It was later established that DSE is responsible for the area.
Wayne Malone, Port Phillip Region’s Group manager public land, condemned the dumping and said DSE was grateful for Melbourne Water’s assistance in addressing the issue promptly.
“DSE officers are currently investigating options and funding to better restrict vehicles from the car park into the water frontage,” he said.