01/06/2025
I’m sure most would have seen or heard of what had been reported on the front page of the Bendigo Advertiser on Saturday 31st May.
This is a report from a court case between EPA Victoria and the owner of a historical Villa here in Bendigo which was heard in the Bendigo Magistrates court last Tuesday.
The contaminated concrete referred to in the article was delivered to our depot on the 31st August 2022 and still remains there after several attempts by the authorities to have the material removed by the owner of the Villa.
On going court cases, appearances at VCAT and after several adjournments we thought it was all over and with a diversion order in place the concrete was to be removed by a licenced asbestos removal contractor by 27th August 2025.
In the story it refers to the suspected asbestos contaminated concrete from Pearce Concrete in Bendigo and with comments below the online article from obviously someone that has misintupreted what has been written, or it has been reported in such a way to that’s what it sounds like. This concerns me.
We have had to put up with this concrete at our depot for three long years, I personally have been subject to threats and insults lots of emails and confrontations.
EPA Victoria and Worksafe have been very helpful during those three years and certainly have been clearly frustrated with the lengthy drawn out process.
This type of situation can be avoided with the correct disposal of any waste product and if you engage a reputable contractor you should not have a problem.
The whole puzzle in this was that back in 2021 a contractor working at the Villa suggested that the owner take it to Pearce Concrete for crushing, but why, when they too which I might add, were also crushing concrete at the time, and only a street away from us.
Then when it’s come time and after several attempts to dispose of it, seven semi trailer loads were delivered to our yard not by a demolition contractor, but a local tilt panel manufacturer. Strange !