Asbestos fears at Brisbane CBD site

Workers, pedestrians and residents have allegedly been exposed to asbestos on a Cross River Rail demolition site in the middle of the Brisbane CBD.

PEOPLE have been warned to avoid one of Brisbane’s busiest streets amid allegations workers, pedestrians and residents have been exposed to asbestos on a Cross River Rail demolition site.

Queensland’s powerful construction union has demanded urgent intervention by the Palaszczuk Government, claiming a cavalier approach by the contractor on the Albert St building was endangering lives.

“Personally, I avoid walking around there unless me and my team are suitably attired,” CFMEU assistant state secretary Jade Ingham said. “People should avoid the area – that’s my view.”

These parts are allegedly covered in asbestos and have been left in the open at a Cross River Rail demolition site on Albert St in Brisbane's CBD.

The union and the Government have been at loggerheads over wages and conditions since contracts were signed to build the $5.4 billion underground train link.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority has insisted the public is safe and all asbestos had been disposed of by licensed professionals.

“As work proceeds, unexpected finds of asbestos can occur, which is not uncommon in old buildings,” a CRRDA spokeswoman said.

“Removal of materials containing asbestos has been done by a licensed subcontractor according to a safe removal plan, which has been reviewed and approved by Worksafe Queensland.”

However, the CFMEU has obtained pictures of lift brakes (above), identified in an expert report as being riddled with asbestos, lying exposed on the site, which is ringed by apartment buildings and abuts a busy street. Video shows workers employed by the contractor shifting the exposed lift parts with heavy equipment.

Mr Ingham insisted the footage clearly demonstrated unlicensed workers had been required to handle asbestos and authorities had taken issue with the contractor on a number of occasions. He blamed the cut-price contract struck by the Palaszczuk Government.

“The state need to urgently intervene and the safety regular needs to have a serious intervention to give workers and members of the public peace of mind that they are not going to be exposed to this deadly product,” he said.

“If they don’t, there will be blood on their hands.”

However, the CRRDA spokeswoman said authorities had been closely monitoring the demolition site and at no stagerequired work to stop.

“In addition, air quality monitoring in accordance with Australian standards, including for asbestos removal, has been ongoing at the site.”