Temporary closure of two buildings at Melbourne Innovation Centre

Published on 02 December 2022

Environmental monitoring and a deep clean will commence after traces of asbestos were found in two buildings.

Darebin City Council is undertaking environmental monitoring and will commence a deep clean and remediation program after traces of asbestos were found in two buildings at the Melbourne Innovation Centre, Wingrove Street, in Alphington.

Buildings two and three at the Melbourne Innovation Centre (MIC) site are now temporarily closed and while further testing and works are completed. This is expected to take several weeks. The issue was identified as part of recent monitoring at the site.

Darebin City Council CEO Peter Smith said that the health and safety of tenants, visitors, contactors and staff located at MIC was Council’s number one priority.

“We are working closely with the MIC and its tenants, and we have temporarily closed the two buildings to allow for further environmental testing and remediation work to be undertaken,” Mr Smith said.

“We understand this is inconvenient for impacted tenants, particularly at this time of the year. Council, together with the MIC are looking at options to minimise the impact and assist those businesses. This may include finding alternative venues and locations in the area that would enable these businesses to continue trading.

“We have also informed, and are proactively working with, relevant regulatory authorities including the EPA and WorkSafe.

“I want to reiterate that the health and safety of people working at that site is our number one priority.”

The temporary closure at MIC only relates to the two buildings and there is no impact on surrounding sites or community.

The ongoing testing and cleaning arrangements will continue into 2023.

For media inquiries and more information, contact Enna.Giampiccolo@darebin.vic.gov.au