Established in 1875 as the
proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
24 APRIL, 2024
Big tea for big cause For the third consecutive year, the Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand in Williamstown is hosting a Biggest Morning Tea to raise money in support of the Cancer Council of Victoria. Secretary and organiser Pam Barnes said the club is hoping to raise even more money than last year. “We raised $2,500 last year from a mix of ticket sales and raffles and this year we are doing something new,” she said. “This year we are hosting a silent auction which will include lots of prizes from local businesses and shops. “We have some great prizes for the raffle from local businesses as well as discounts for catering proving everyone wants to help the Cancer Council.” Tickets are $35 per head and will include a day full of activities, prizes and speakers. The event will be held on Thursday, May 23, at Customs House Hotel, 161 Nelson Place Williamstown from 10.15am to noon.
Pam Barnes, Kay Didenkowski and Gael Meadowcroft. (Damjan Janevski) 401052_03
Five more asbestos finds By Jennifer Pittorino The total number of asbestos-affected sites in Hobsons Bay has been finalised at 14 sites, following the confirmation of contamination at a further five sites late last week. The five new sites mark the end of Hobsons Bay council’s current assessment of parks and reserves that have received recycled mulch. The five new sites are Buffer Mound in Altona, Grieve Parade and Kororoit Creek Reserve in Altona North, Newport Lakes Reserve in Newport and Truganina Park in Altona Meadows.
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The other asbestos-affected sites are: Donald McLean Reserve, Spotswood; Crofts Reserve, Altona North; Altona Coastal Park; Hosken Reserve, Altona North; PJ Lynch Reserve, Altona North; Federation Trail, Brooklyn (managed by the Department of Transport and Planning); Laverton Creek at the rear of AB Shaw Reserve; Doug Grant Reserve, Altona; and PA Burns Reserve, Altona. Of the 21 sites inspected, seven have been cleared as being free of asbestos. Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Hobsons Bay council have determined the likely source of contamination at all but
two of the 14 affected parks as being historic dumping or legacy in situ contamination. The EPA said it will continue to investigate the sources of the contamination in two sites: Donald McLean Reserve, Spotswood, and Kororoit Creek Reserve, Altona North. Hobsons Bay council’s mulch supply chain will also be forensically examined by the EPA, focusing on contamination risk controls of those involved in transporting, handling and laying mulch. EPA said its inspection of three mulch producers that supplied Hobsons Bay council parks showed they have appropriate controls
to prevent contamination in the end product. An additional eight sites were cleared of asbestos contamination following testing by the EPA. They are: Laverton Creek estuary; HD Graham Reserve car park and mounds, Altona Meadows; AB Shaw Reserve, Altona Meadows; Rifle Range Arboretum, Williamstown; The Pines Scout Camp, Altona; RJ Long Reserve, Williamstown North; Armstrong Reserve, Newport; and DOW Chemicals, Altona.