Surf Coast Shire Removes Asbestos Pipe from Bells Beach

The offending pipe before it was removed.

After removal of pipe

You may have noticed in the media recently the uproar over an exposed asbestos drainage pipe at Bells Beach after heavy rains. According to a recent Shire media release (read below), the offending pipe has been removed. A note of interest however, is the word "asbestos" is never used in the release. Why?

To answer my own question I suppose one would have to answer that it became a sensitive issue due to the high exposure the story received in the media.

It wasn't the fault of the Shire that the pipe was exposed by heavy rain, but the way they appear to have handle the problem turned it into something that it should never have been, 'a storm in a tea cup'.

More Erosion Control Works At Bells

Surf Coast Shire will shortly start work on a new rock drain at Bells Beach to mitigate erosion in the area after a damaged pipe was removed from the reserve this week.

The new rock swale drain will help reduce the environmental impact of stormwater flow through the reserve. The works will start once the Council has received the necessary consent from DSE under the Coastal Land Management Act.

The rock swale drain is part of a number of measures Council will be taking to mitigate erosion at Bells following the adoption of the Bells Beach Coastal Management Plan in September 2010.

This work follows the installation of two litter baskets in the stormwater system to trap litter. This was completed in December 2010.

After the adoption of the coastal management plan, Council secured Victorian Government funding in 2010 to help connect toilets at the reserve to Barwon Water’s sewer system. Tenders for these works will be sought shortly after consultation with Aboriginal parties to ensure the works respect the site’s cultural heritage.

Mayor, Cr Dean Webster, said Council has placed a high priority on protecting the Bells Beach Surfing Reserve’s natural environment.

“Since the adoption of the Bells Beach Coastal Management Plan, Council has worked quickly to address infrastructure issues and environmental issues at the reserve,” Cr Webster said.

“We worked with the community closely on the development of the Coastal Management Plan and we will continue to work to preserve Bells in a way the local community can have confidence in.

“We are also working to help manage increasing visitation to Bells; so that local residents and future generations can continue to enjoy and respect this socially, environmentally and culturally significant place.”

source: Surf Coast Shire media release