Director of Planning & Environmental Services Chris Berry’s report to council outlined the timeline of council's action since 2008. He stated that although there seems to be a lack of action from council since 2009, it was important not to dwell on the past and look at how we are to fix the issue in the future.

“In 2008-2009 there was a risk management agreement with the operator, which was documented and agreed upon by the operator to say that this is the way to move forward. What I can see from the records is that it had not been closely recorded,” Mr Berry said.

“It appears that nothing has been done by the operator. The operator has until January 5, 2015, before we can pursue any further action. In the mean time we hope to work with the operator to fix the issue.”

Council expressed their concern about the bureaucratic smoke screens preventing them from being able to remove the asbestos at Allen Park, and responsibility over private properties.

“It is a very difficult situation, we can’t be throwing money at privately owned places and legally we don’t have permission to do so. The owner of the property needs to take the action and responsibility,” Mr Berry said. 

Councillor Ann Daniel was emphatic about knowing the risk to the community’s health, explaining that many residents have felt they have been kept in the dark.

“I have had many residents asking me whether or not to cancel their Christmas at Hume Park...Everyone is concerned about the health risks.” she said.

Local resident Brendan Price, presented council with photographs showing exposed asbestos around the park during 2008. Councillors Gary Ware and Jasmin Jones expressed their concerns that the contamination had spread to the entire park as the three tonnes of asbestos was destroyed and used as landfill.   

Mr Berry said that although he can’t confirm there is a zero per cent chance of risk, the risk is very low. 

“I can say that there are three confirmed and identified contaminated locations on the site, there is the backfill to the retaining wall, up near the trailor park area and a further site directly behind that.

“Asbestos is a health risk when it is exposed. This asbestos is buried and unless it is disturbed there is very little risk.”

General Manager David Rowe was questioned over why council has seemingly disregarded the issue of asbestos at Hume Park since 2008. 

Mr Rowe explained that it has a complicated history and the ownership of the problem is complex.

“I’m not familiar with all of the ins and outs at this point in time. What I can tell you is that in 2008 the major issue was the safety of the site in relation to unapproved structures,” he said.

“That’s what raised the issue, the biggest thing we have had to deal with during that time was trying to minimise risk to public in regards to their safety.

“I echo a lot of what the Director said, that there should have been more follow up on a lot of issues along the way, as they had arisen. The responsibility has always been with the operator, if the operator had've taken the action that he should have at the time, perhaps it wouldn't have come back to us to solve the issue. 

"In all the cases we have tried to work with the operator to fix the issue rather than take the liability on ourselves.” 

Council made recommendations that the report on asbestos at Hume Park and Allen Park be noted and a further report be brought back in the new year.

Although no decision has been made, as to what will be done about Hume Park, there is talk of closing off the area and removing the asbestos. Given that the land at Hume Park is on Crown land, contacting the state government for support or providing further signage to the area would also be important steps.

An independent assessor will hopefully be available to test the area post January 5, to reveal the actual level of risk of the area, so council can then decide what action to take.