Deadly asbestos found at Ashfield Pool redevelopment site
Local residents and businesses — including a childcare centre — have not been told by Inner West Council about the discovery of the potentially deadly building material at the Ashfield Pool redevelopment site.
NSW
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A local council has been accused of caring more about car fumes from WestConnex than asbestos in a major Sydney redevelopment site.
Local residents and businesses — including a childcare centre — have not been told by Inner West Council about the discovery of the potentially deadly building material at the Ashfield Pool redevelopment site.
Demolition crews working at the Frederick St location last month discovered asbestos in the administration building roof, the pool walls and the soil of the surrounding park.
Yet the council won’t inform residents about asbestos until they start removing it.
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Liberal councillor Julie Passas said: “I want the same urgent action that council took about air quality with WestConnex applied to this issue.
“You can’t pick and choose what you are concerned about. We have spent thousands of dollars giving WestConnex opposition groups money despite the fact it was a legitimate and important piece of public infrastructure.
“Where is the council’s urgency and concern about deadly air particles from asbestos?”
The pool was 50 years old and the asbestos removal will cost ratepayers an extra $750,000.
The project is costing $44.7 million — $42m of which is being borrowed by the Greens-Labor dominated council.
It is the biggest loan that the council has ever taken out.
An Inner West Council spokeswoman said “the asbestos is non friable and was not disturbed”.
Non friable asbestos is not easily crumbled and released into the air.
“An independent hygienist inspected immediately and the zones were quarantined,” she said.
“The asbestos needs to be removed safely and these works will commence at the end of the month.
“Prior to removal, all surrounding residents will be notified and Council’s website also offers important information.”
The council adopted the new Asbestos Policy at last Tuesday night’s council meeting.
The policy largely adopts the Office of Local Government Model Asbestos Policy for NSW.
A number of local businesses and residents said their properties has been covered in dust and that they have not been told about the asbestos. None wanted to speak publicly.
The redevelopment was due to be delivered in “early 2020” but was pushed out to later in the year because of delays in getting a building contractor.
Inhalation of asbestos fibres increases the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Originally published as Deadly asbestos found at Ashfield Pool redevelopment site
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