Search for more contaminated sites after Rozelle Parklands closed due asbestos discovery in mulch

The state government is urgently trying to locate other sites which have used a mulch contaminated with asbestos after a park in Sydney’s inner west was closed down just three weeks after opening.

Rozelle Parklands only opened last month.

The state government is urgently trying to identify if mulch which was found to contain traces of asbestos, has been used in other playgrounds.

It comes after an inner west playground was closed off following the discovery of the deadly material on Wednesday.

Rozelle Parklands in Sydney’s inner west has shut its gates just three weeks after it opened after samples of garden mulch were found to contain the highly carcinogenic material.

Mark Davies, executive general manager, major projects for John Holland — the contractor which undertook a joint venture in relation to the Rozelle Parklands — said all safety assurances were taken during the project.

“This is a recycled product mulch, it’s widely used and commercially available and goes all the appropriate certifications and processes and one that we’ve used extensively on the Rozelle project,” he said.

Premier Chris Minns said he was extremely concerned about the find. Picture: Gaye Gerard

He confirmed that the mulch has been used on other projects.

“It has been used on other projects which we’re properly going through and working with EPA and authorities to identify where they’re from.”

Premier Chris Minns said he was extremely concerned about the contaminated soil, saying he would “throw the book” at anyone found to have breached the law.

“The playground site has a barrier that’s been put in place in the last few hours which is important to ensure the local community knows it isn’t safe,” he said.

“There’ll be a broader barrier put in place on the whole site in the coming hours.

“I want to make it clear it’s not acceptable, it’s obviously very concerning.”

Josh Murray, Transport for NSW Secretary said testing was conducted throughout the whole process. Picture: David Swift

In response to concern the contaminated mulch had been used in other projects the Premier said the government would put up barriers at any playground that was found to have used it.

“Obviously contaminated mulch has been used on other sites and we need to know what those sites are as soon as possible so we can alert the community and put up barriers in place,” he said.

“I realise that is massively inconvenient during the school holidays when a lot of parents are looking to get the kids out of the house... but we can’t muck around with safety.

“If there’s found to be asbestos in any of these sites of course we’ll close it down and get to the bottom of how the asbestos got there in the first place.’

The new green space in Rozelle will remain closed while remediation experts conduct tests of the material across the parkland to determine the extent of contamination.

A parent was the first to discover a suspicious-looking material in Rozelle Parklands which led to independent testing of the mulch.

Despite the concerning discovery, Transport for NSW officials said preliminary testing for hazardous material took place prior to the opening of the Rozelle Parklands.

“The situation is that we have closed Rozelle Parklands after two samples tested positive for traces of asbestos, they were two samples of garden mulch that was within the park boundaries,” Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray said on Wednesday.

“It’s important to mention that testing was done before, during and after the landscaping work was conducted ahead of the opening of the Rozelle Parklands.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said he felt for the residents of Rozelle who have been through a lot in recent times. Picture: David Swift

A Transport for NSW spokesman said: “A number of preliminary air quality tests taken at that site yesterday did not find any air borne particles outside of normal expected parameters.”

Roads Minister John Graham said he “felt for the residents of Rozelle”, as he pointed to the past tumultuous months many residents in the area faced.

“I certainly feel for these residents in Rozelle after all the disruption they’ve gone through,” Minister Graham said.

“The years of disruptions as this project was built, the traffic disruptions for 11 days before we made changes to the Rozelle interchange... but now this news about their parklands, I certainly feel for the disruptions they’ve had.”

The children’s playground will remain closed as authorities investigate the area.

Air testing began on Tuesday night and has continued throughout Wednesday.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said the discovery was concerning and a serious safety concern.

“As a parent whose children have been playing there myself, I understand how concerning this will be for many thousands of local people,” he said.

All of the impacted garden mulch at the park will be replaced.