FOOTBALL season had barely begun when North Wangaratta was told it would have to vacate its home ground because of potential lead contamination.
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Now the Boxing Day Test match could be underway before the full extent of the problem is known.
The Victorian Environment Protection Authority has been probing the matter since May.
At that point the ground, visible from the northern entry to Wangaratta, was taped off as detailed testing of groundwater bores began.
The footballers were forced to play matches elsewhere and the nearby Wangaratta Clay Target Club was also cordoned off.
The EPA’s regional manager Clare Kiely said in June: “Once EPA has the full picture of how much lead is contaminating the reserve and groundwater, it can then provide advice on the most appropriate clean-up methods to ensure all traces of lead can be removed or managed appropriately."
Now it’s six months later and another North East manager Emma Knights is saying the investigation is continuing and the EPA wants to “ensure the matter is dealt with as efficiently and swiftly as possible”.
A deadline of December 30 has been set for the finalisation of a report specifying the extent of the contamination.
The EPA has declined to state why the investigation has taken so long.
We can only imagine it may be linked to limited resources and competing priorities.
While there may not have been any serious danger to people’s health detected with findings, it is a concern how long the process has taken and how much time will elapse before the all-clear is given to the oval and surrounds.
Fortunately there is no cricket played at the ground, so that sport has not been affected.
The lead has been tied to the gun club and it accepts its practices must change, but at the same time it had operated that way since 1963 without concern.
At that time, the EPA itself was still nearly a decade away from being formed.
While environmental concerns have increased and need to be addressed there should be more explanation around the issue.
It is apparent from last month’s community meeting that a number of those hit by the problem feel frustrated and the EPA should improve its communication and response.
