Bellarine authorities have confirmed dangerous asbestos fragments are littered along a popular walking track between Ogilvy Rd and Bancoora Beach. We are now down in Breamlea, a small coastal community near Geelong, Victoria. What the Barwon Coast staff found during this survey was truly exhilarating. As a consequence, an area of public land has been closed off temporarily, including the walking track that connects Breamlea Caravan Park to the Bancoora Beach car park.
Shockingly enough the asbestos fragments were discovered in several areas including the car park and more recently along the foreshore close to the local surf life-saving club. Inspections showed the toxic stuff resting on top of sand and in between small twigs. The find has alarmed nearby residents and beach-goers alike, prompting quick action from local officials.
Investigation and Response
Barwon Coast undertook a comprehensive search of the vicinity after the asbestos was discovered on Thursday night. Staff were able to wear protective gear while collecting samples for analysis, which indicated the existence of asbestos. In direct response to this finding, Barwon Coast took measures to improve safety, which featured the walking track being closed completely.
“We have put safety measures in place, including a temporary closure of the path.” – Barwon Coast
Gareth Smith, Barwon Coast representative. As far as any reports of asbestos were concerned, there had been none found in the area, he added. He stated, “We have not previously received community reports of asbestos on this path, nor observed any during recent fencing and pathway improvement works carried out three and six months ago, or during the revegetation works undertaken two years ago.”
Community Concerns Addressed
Breamlea — population 150 — is located on the southern coast of the City of Geelong, bordering much bigger Torquay — ~7000. The potential presence of asbestos has rightfully raised community concern to an egregious level. The experts have all worked to calm nerves about the find.
Anthony Linton, the research director at Australia’s Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute, doesn’t find this to be a cause for concern. He tries to comfort those who have walked through the impacted neighborhoods that they should feel secure. He stated, “Any risk to any member of the community is actually going to be very low in this case for people who may have actually walked these paths in the past.”
Linton acknowledged the deep-rooted fears associated with asbestos exposure in Australia, saying, “Asbestos naturally makes many Australians feel very fearful because we have a long and deadly legacy of asbestos use in this country.” He pointed to examples like this one, stressing the need to act on these incidents before they become deadly crises.
Context of the Discovery
The explosion occurs almost two years after evidence of asbestosis had been found in soil around dozens of Melbourne’s playgrounds. This new discovery is just the latest in a long disturbing trend that further underscores the dangers posed by asbestos in our public spaces. Last month, eight different colored educational sand art products were recalled. This step was required because at least some asbestos was found in these materials.
Linton pointed out the ongoing risks posed by asbestos, stating, “Certainly, we know that asbestos continues to kill about 4,500 Australians per year, so this just reinforces the message that we must remove asbestos from the built environment and dispose of it safely.”
