Materials containing asbestos found at Regatta Park and Trinity Drive reserve Cambridge Gardens

A third strip of Sydney parkland has been shut due to the discovery of asbestos. Council has been scrambling to remove the contaminated material. Here’s the latest.

A third strip of Sydney parkland has been shut due to the discovery of asbestos.

Penrith City Council has been scrambling to remove the contaminated material at Regatta Park in the Penrith suburb of Emu Plains.

The council is also reviewing suppliers of mulch to sites and projects over the past 18 months.

It’s the third section of land cordoned off, after asbestos-riddled mulch was found on January 25.

Earlier, contaminated material was found at Trinity Drive Reserve, in Cambridge Gardens, on January 16.

Asbestos was also detected at Rozelle Parklands in Sydney’s Inner West. It was closed to the public on January 10, following the find.

Now, the council has advised contaminated mulch was used in two locations at Regatta Park – a closed area still under construction and a recently opened section of river walk.

The areas were fenced off on Thursday evening and pedestrians have been forced to take a detour via the new section of River Rd.

Regatta Park, Emu Plains. Picture: Penrith City Council

Regarding the supplier review, the council said: “This was undertaken to determine if mulch had been supplied by the same company who has been supplying mulch to Transport for NSW sites which has been identified as containing asbestos.”

Newly upgraded Trinity Drive Reserve in Cambridge Gardens

The council confirmed officers have been working with the Regatta Park contractor to identify, test and remove the mulch.

Following the Cambridge Gardens find, that park will remain shut for 10-12 days.

Further inspection, air monitoring and “asbestos identification assessment” will be undertaken.

Nearby primary school Cambridge Gardens Public was previously identified as having materials with asbestos on school premises.

A site-specific management plan from 2020 referred to sealed, non-friable white asbestos in the cubicles of boys and girls bathrooms.