Decaying asbestos found in dozens of Blacktown schools
Dozens of schools in the Blacktown region contain broken and decaying asbestos, potentially exposing thousands of students to serious health risks. SEE THE LIST HERE.
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Dozens of public schools in the Blacktown region are riddled with potentially deadly asbestos according to an Education Department register.
The department’s schools asbestos register lists 29 primary schools and 11 high schools in the Blacktown Local Government Area as containing asbestos materials in classrooms, offices and toilet blocks.
According to the register, all 40 schools either contain or are presumed to contain the most dangerous form of asbestos, known as ‘friable asbestos’, which means the asbestos is decaying and can easily break down.
Schools listed on the register included Blacktown North Public School, Seven Hills Public School and Evans High School — all built during the heart of the asbestos building boom between the 1940s and late 1980s.
A statement from the department said it took all asbestos concerns seriously and immediate action was taken where necessary.
“At any time friable asbestos is suspected, the department acts immediately to secure and remediate,” the statement read.
“This includes the removal of students from the area of concern, the engagement of an independent hygienist, air monitoring and the commissioning of licensed contractors to remove the asbestos in accordance with the Safe Work NSW guidelines.
“More than $10 million has been invested on asbestos remediation in more than 120 public schools in 2018/19 and 2019/20.”
While most asbestos materials do not pose any immediate threat to health, if asbestos is disturbed or damaged, exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to cancer.
Blacktown State Labor MP Stephen Bali said safe asbestos removal in Blacktown schools needed to be a top priority.
“It needs to be addressed on a needs basis. There’s no excuse saying, ‘If no-one touches it, it’s safe’. We’re talking about kids. Kids naturally touch things,” Mr Bali said.
“It is a risk, therefore it needs to be dealt with. It needs to be prioritised and the government needs to allocate funding towards it.”
Mr Bali said it was imperative that asbestos was removed from all public schools within the next decade.
Concerns about the State Government’s plan in managing school asbestos removal were raised at a Budget Estimates hearing this week.
At the hearing, Labor’s Courtney Houssos questioned Education Minister Sarah Mitchell about asbestos concerns.
Ms Mitchell said she was confident current processes were suitable in dealing with the presence of asbestos in public schools across the state.
“This is about doing everything we can to ensure the safety of the students at our schools,” Ms Mitchell said.
“When the presence of asbestos is reported, I have confidence in the processes that the department, particularly School Infrastructure NSW, has in place regarding appropriate action.”
Mr Bali said the asbestos situation was compounded by a lack of funding for school upgrades across Blacktown region.
In the last State Budget, no funding was allocated for any school in the Blacktown electorate.
“When people look around the North Shore and Eastern suburbs and see magnificent schools being upgraded, and then we’re left with the crud, what type of learning atmosphere does that create here?” Mr Bali said.
“We need not only reasonable buildings and a reasonable learning environment but we also need better resourcing.”
ASBESTOS IN BLACKTOWN SCHOOLS:
Bert Oldfield Public School
Blackett Public School
Blacktown North Public School
Chifley College Bidwill Campus
Chifley College Dunheved Campus
Chifley College Mt Druitt Campus
Chifley College Shalvey Campus
Colyton Public School
Dawson Public School
Doonside Public School
Eastern Creek Public School
Emerton Public School
Evans High School
The Hills Sports High School
Lalor Park Public School
Lethbridge Park Public School
Lynwood Park Public School
Madang Ave Public School
Marayong Public School
Marayong South Public School
Marsden Park Public School
The Meadows Public School
Metella Rd Public School
Mitchell High School
Noumena Public School
Plumpton High School
Riverstone High School
Riverstone Public School
Rooty Hill Public School
Rooty Hill High School
Schofields Public School
Seven Hills Public School
Seven Hills North Public School
Seven Hills West Public School
Seven Hills High School
Shalvey Public School
Shelley Public School
Vardys Rd Public School
Walters Rd Public School
Whalan Public School