Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has stepped in and will take immediate action to clean up the demolished Sea Lake Hotel site.
The Hotel, which burnt down on 10 April 2017, was demolished following the blaze as it was considered a public safety risk by Buloke Shire Council. EPA inspected the site and found asbestos to be present within the burnt waste.
To minimize risk to the local community the area has been fenced off, signed and covered. EPA issued a clean-up notice to the duty holder to ensure community safety. However, the compliance dates for those notices have passed and EPA is not satisfied that its requirements have been met.
“As a result, EPA is exercising its powers under the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic) to legally access the site for the purposes of covering the waste with a heavy duty cover that will withstand weathering, removing the waste from the footpath to return access for the community and securing the site with temporary fencing that will be covered in shade cloth,” said EPA Manager North West Region Dr Scott Pigdon.
“EPA has engaged a Licensed Class A asbestos removalist to undertake the works. The works are scheduled for completion on Thursday 12 April and Friday 13 April 2018. While the works are being undertaken, the contractor will ensure that appropriate controls are in place to minimise any off-site impacts.”
The EPA action does not preclude future action against the duty holder.
EPA, Buloke Shire Council and WorkSafe are continuing to work together to reach a final resolution for the Sea Lake community.