The City of Joondalup says it will continue to work with a specialist contractor to remove fragments of asbestos materials found at Hillarys Dog Beach.
The city said the source of the fragments on the beach was likely beach shacks which were once along this section of the coastline between the 1950s and 1970s.
The beach shacks were made mostly of asbestos sheeting and corrugated iron. When they were demolished in the 1970s, some of the material was buried on-site.
The city started receiving reports of potential asbestos-carrying materials at the Hillarys Animal Beach in November 2021, which it said was being exposed as the dunes were eroded by wind and wave action.
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READ NOWThe city has been engaging a specialist contractor to hand-pick and remove the materials and carry out regular inspections.
In 2022 it engaged a consultant to develop an asbestos-containing material preliminary assessment, with results indicating that the fragments were generally bonded, weathered but in good condition.
The city said it continued regular inspections, testing and removal of the fragments in 2023 to “stabilise the foreshore dune”.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has advised the city that the risk to human health is low.
Joondalup mayor Albert Jacob said the city was working with a consultant to develop an ongoing site management plan for the site based on recommendations from DWER.
“In addition to the management plan, the city will undertake remedial works at the beach, including warning signage near the affected areas,” Mr Jacob said.
“We advise users of Hillarys Dog Beach to remain on existing pathways and keep out of the dunes, and if you see potential asbestos-containing material, please report it to the city.
“It is important to note that the level of contamination per area of land is defined as very low risk by the relevant Department of Health guidelines.”
Mullaloo resident Mitch Sideris raised a motion for a management plan to deal with the asbestos found in the area at Joondalup’s annual general meeting of electors on Tuesday.
“The reason for the motion was probably highlighted by recent posts on Facebook which show people going down to Pinnaroo Point and south towards the dog beach and were picking up items which turned out to be bonded asbestos and taking them home trying to work out what it was,” he said.
“In the response to questions submitted for the AGM, it was noted that the city removed in the last two years 2.7 tonnes of asbestos material from around the dog beach. The public need to know. It’s not about scaring the public, it’s just making the public aware.”
Sightings of potential ACM can be reported to the city on 9400 4000 or email info@joondalup.wa.gov.au.