Damaged asbestos found in 23 schools on the northern beaches, with Balgowlah Boys one of worst
An audit has found nearly two dozen schools on the peninsula have damaged asbestos in their buildings - with one revealed to have the most dangerous form in a hallway. READ THE LIST HERE.
Manly
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A northern beaches high school was found to have the most dangerous form of asbestos that easily crumbles when touched, it has been revealed.
The friable asbestos — which is more likely to release airborne fibres than other forms — was located in a hallway at Balgowlah Boys.
The findings were revealed in a 40-page report on the school in 2017.
Another 22 peninsula schools, both primary and secondary, also have incidents of “damaged” asbestos, which means it is breaking down and could pose a risk to children.
Labor’s Courtney Houssos MLC, said “this is not asbestos that is sealed up in walls, this is asbestos that is breaking down”.
She said debris was “potentially fraying in school toilets and staff toilets, in school libraries and halls around the state”.
Ms Houssos told the Manly Daily: “I am calling on the Minister to release the latest available report to reassure parents because parents deserve to have access to the most up-to-date information available.”
Labor’s audit of the Education Department’s asbestos registry was revealed in the NSW Parliament last week.
It is not known whether any of the asbestos has been removed since the 2017 findings, but it is the latest available public data.
Labor found Balgowlah Boys to be one of 109 schools across NSW with friable asbestos.
In the school’s 2017 report it revealed there was a variety of different types of asbestos hidden in walls, ceilings, floor tiles and in the void under the floors, and even in the lining of workbenches at Balgowlah Boys. In most cases the asbestos was found to be in good condition.
But inspectors also found incidences of damaged asbestos including one source of friable asbestos in the hallway of the administration building, three sources of extensive damage asbestos in the science learning building and technical and applied studies rooms, one source of unsealed and/or poor condition asbestos in an external hallway of the technical and applied studies rooms and six sources of minimum damage asbestos.
Labor’s analysis of the data also found 988 schools have “damaged” asbestos.
The peninsula schools with damaged asbestos include: Allambie Heights Public, Balgowlah Heights Public, Barrenjoey High, Beacon Hill Public, Belrose Public, Davidson High School, Dee Why Public, Elanora Heights Public, Killarney Heights High, Manly Vale Public, Manly Village Public, Manly West Public, Mimosa Public, Mona Vale Public, Narrabeen North Public, Newport Public, Cromer High, Mackellar Girls, Manly Selective, Pittwater High, Forest High and Wheeler Heights Public.
Manly MP James Griffin said he was looking into the situation at Balgowlah Boys but said the NSW Government was “absolutely committed to the safety of students” and that when undertaking maintenance or rebuilds, “when asbestos is found or becomes an issue, that it is safely dealt with”.
“I have full confidence in the department that they will ensure any concerns that may have arisen at Balgowlah Boys are safely dealt with,” Mr Griffin said.
“Whether it’s recent cases like small amounts of asbestos at Brookvale Oval, a home or a school, managing the building practices of the past presents a challenge.
“What is most important is that the health, safety and wellbeing of the community is the highest priority at all times.”
“Our record level of spending on school infrastructure goes directly to fixing up issues like asbestos. We have committed clearing the maintenance backlog at all local public schools, this will ensure we have the best and safest learning environment for our children.”
The Department of Education released a statement in response to Labor’s audit.
It said asbestos was commonly used in buildings between the 1940s and late 1980s, and is present today in materials such as cement sheeting, cement roofing, vinyl floor tiles and wall lining.
“The Department of Education has a rigorous system of maintenance and monitoring at all schools across NSW,” it said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
“Asbestos removal is carried out as part of capital works and maintenance in NSW government schools as appropriate.
“At any time friable asbestos is suspected, the Department acts immediately to secure and remediate.
“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.”
The Department said more than $10 million has been invested on asbestos remediation in more than 120 public schools in 2018/19 and 2019/20.