Workers fear health issues as mould shuts down Geelong Arts Centre project
A $3m community-funded arts project has ground to a halt after testing revealed workers face potential health risks from dangerous levels of mould.
Construction of a multimillion-dollar community-funded project spearheaded by Geelong Arts Centre has been shut down by the head contractor amid fear from workers that their health is at risk after being exposed to dangerous levels of mould.
The Church Giving Campaign raised $3m in donations for the internal restoration of the former Presbyterian Church on Ryrie St that would see it become a live performance venue by early 2026.
But now the immediate future of the project is uncertain after samples taken on November 28 and a subsequent December 7 report – seen by the Geelong Advertiser – found six of eight indoor sites contained dangerously high levels of mould spores.
Construction commenced in April and the assessment followed remediation works aimed at combating the mould.
The church’s opening date has been pushed back to at least mid-2026.
“There is risk to persons from breathing these (spores) in,” the Biological Health Services report warned.
“Additional airspace and source removal mould remediation steps must be considered as the only feasible approach to address this data.”
One worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said the site had been shut down multiple times because of mould and air quality issues, and they were worried someone could become seriously ill.
“We were told it was safe to come back, but after returning to work some of us started feeling unwell,” they said.
“At least three workers have now come forward with health problems that they believe may be linked to working on the site.
“These are still only suspected at this stage and people are seeing doctors, but everyone is scared and confused about whether the site is actually safe.”
Mould can trigger respiratory infections and worsen asthma and allergic conditions, according to Victoria’s Health Department.
“There is no practical way to eliminate all mould indoors; the way to control indoor mould growth is to control the source of moisture,” its website states.
Project manager Jacob Bunn, from head contractor Plan Group, directed questions to GAC.
In a statement, a GAC spokeswoman said: “A safe working environment is of the utmost importance to Geelong Arts Centre and our appointed builder.”
Geelong MP Christine Couzens said restoration of the church’s facade was funded by the state government as part of the $180m GAC redevelopment, but the internal work was made possible by tax-deductible donations from the public.
“The update I have is that the Plan Group made the decision to close the site, however there is no evidence of health impacts on workers,” Ms Couzens said.
It is unclear when construction will recommence, with the Plan Group assessing its options to further remediate the site.
“The project is supporting more than 165 roles across 20 Victorian businesses, including 11 Geelong based subcontractors to perform the works required on the heritage building, from demolition, concrete and formwork – to electrical and fire services,” a GAC media release in June stated.
The church’s facade was previously concealed behind the former Band of Hope building.
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Originally published as Workers fear health issues as mould shuts down Geelong Arts Centre project
