Asbestos removal bill in Queensland schools tops $13m

Asbestos removal in Queensland education facilities has cost taxpayers millions of dollars in the past financial year, with almost 200 schools found to contain the toxic material. SEE THE WORST SCHOOLS

Asbestos was removed from almost 200 ageing Queensland state primary and high schools in the past financial year, with the government forced to fork out more than $13m in costs.

A high number of the state’s older school buildings are known to contain building materials with the potentially dangerous matter, with asbestos identification procedures occurring at more than 500 schools during the 2020-21 financial year.

Sunnybank State High School was among those with the most serious and extensive asbestos cases, with $2.6m spent on removal.

A Right to Information request about an alleged breach over the handling of asbestos at the school in late 2020 found there was a delay between a cleaner reporting a concern that contractors installing airconditioning had drilled into asbestos sheeting, and a professional clean-up crew being deployed.

Asbestos was also found at Townsville State High, which recorded $697,721 in removal costs, Mornington Island State School ($508,375) and Maryborough Special School ($410,594).

On top of the millions in removal costs, more than $2.6m was spent on the asbestos audit program.

The report states “it is important to know that asbestos containing material (ACM) that is in good condition and left untouched is relatively low risk”.

“ACM was commonly used in building products until the late 1980s,” it stated.

“As many Queensland schools were built prior to 1990, it is not uncommon for ACM to be present in these facilities.

“To ensure the safety of students and staff, the condition of ACM in Department of Education owned facilities is monitored closely through asbestos audits conducted by the Department of Energy and Public Works, QBuild.”

LNP education spokesman Christian Rowan said nothing was more important than student safety.

“These latest figures highlight the critical importance of ongoing asbestos identification and removal in Queensland schools,” he said.

Dr Rowan also slammed the government for changing the reporting of asbestos incidents from monthly to every six months.

“The government now expects parents and teachers to wait every six months for this important information, which is buried in an excel spreadsheet,” he said.

Sunnybank State High School had one of the worst asbestos removal bills in the past financial year.

“The failure to provide this vital safety information publicly on a monthly basis is yet another example of the government abandoning its commitment to being open, transparent, and accountable with Queenslanders.

“Parents, teachers and school staff have a right to know.”

According to the Department of Education, the change in reporting procedure was an “operational decision” which was taken to “better align reporting to ensure consistency”.

“Educational facilities where the presence of asbestos is confirmed or assumed are required to keep and maintain an asbestos register under work health and safety regulations,” a spokeswoman said.

“Schools also ensure relevant staff have an awareness of asbestos or have received training for asbestos management responsibilities.

“Parents, caregivers, staff and other visitors are entitled to view the school’s asbestos register on request at their school administration.”