The Environment Protection Agency has issued a Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN) which requires Parks Victoria to clean up the Lidell’s Calcine Sands site in Bendigo Regional Park. 

Sands at the site, which contain arsenic and mercury, were exposed by the Black Saturday fires in 2009. 

Work must commence by August 1.

Member for Northern Victoria Damian Drum welcomed the news, noting it had been a drawn-out process. 

“It has in fact been a very long saga,” he said. 

“I feel for the people who have been living adjacent to the Calcine Sands. 

“I am delighted that (the site is) finally being covered.”

Parks Victoria ranger in charge David Major said residents would have an opportunity to meet the contractor to discuss the works. 

“The sands will be covered well before the January 1, 2014, deadline for completion of work as stated in the PAN,” he said. 

But Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said she understood capping was not the best solution. 

“However, Parks Victoria and the EPA have decided to proceed to cap and revegetate,” she said. 

“Unfortunately all that residents can do is put their faith in Parks Victoria and the EPA and trust that they have got it right. 

“If they haven’t, the health of the residents in the area is going to continually be put at risk.”

Ms Edwards said residents had often been “fobbed off” when seeking answers to their concerns. 

Mr Major said the cost of the clean-up would not be known until it had been completed.