Tuesday, 10 September, 2024
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Show of hands St Anthony’s Primary student Joli, with hand puppets, enjoyed a feast of music and visual arts at the school on 3 September. The Wonders of Creation and Light exhibition showcased a wide array of student works and techniques such as Japanese chochin (paper lanterns) and chigiri-e (torn paper), and indigenous art from recycled and Naturesourced materials. Students also performed as buskers, as well as displayed three-dimensional digital block art from STEM class. More pictures, turn to page 8
(Stewart Chambers: 425499)
Mounting action Authorities are taking action after alleging that a giant mound of soil near a Bangholme retirement village was illegally contaminated with toxic asbestos and heavy metals. After taking soil samples, Environment Protection Authority Victoria late last month issued a Notice to Investigate against the operator on leased land at 576 Frankston-Dandenong Road. The operator allegedly did not have an EPA licence to accept contaminated soil, which was now required to be removed to a licensed landfill, the EPA stated. As a result, Greater Dandenong Council is also
taking action against the operator for allegedly breaching its earthworks planning permit. A waste-water and soil transfer station has been proposed for the Green Wedge site. The permit application is currently being advertised on the council’s website. The pile looms across flat, open paddocks about a kilometre south from Willow Lodge retirement village residents, worried about being showered with dust. EPA Victoria stated there was no risk to human health. “Testing of the samples showed the presence of some asbestos fragments and metal contami-
nation consistent with a classification of Category D, the lowest level of soil contamination. “However, the premises is not EPA-licensed to accept Category D soil, so any Category D soil brought in must be taken to an EPA-licensed landfill and cannot be used as clean fill.” Under the Notice of Investigation, the operator is required to have the southern soil stockpile sampled, tested and classified by an “independent, suitably qualified professional”. “The EPA investigation of the premises and any actions deemed necessary to bring it into compliance with the law, is ongoing,” the EPA stated.
Greater Dandenong Council city futures acting executive director David Fice said the earthworks planning permit had been approved by VCAT, despite opposition from the council. “We are taking action against the landowner for breaches of the earthworks planning permit and will continue to monitor the site along with the EPA throughout the remediation process.” In July, the Star Journal reported on a certified environmental assessor’s report that raised the alarm on several pieces of asbestos found in four different areas of the mound as well as high levels of the heavy-metal, lead. More on the story, turn to page 5
12698263-FR35-24
By Cam Lucadou-Wells