Asbestos fears over Prince of Wales development
RESIDENTS fear they will be exposed to dangerous asbestos and lead as demolition work starts on their homes while they are still living there.
Southern Courier
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RESIDENTS fear they will be exposed to dangerous asbestos and lead as demolition work starts on their homes while they are still living there.
Residents of Eurimbla Ave, Magill St and Botany St received letters through their doors last year to inform them their homes would be bulldozed to make way for the $720 million Prince of Wales hospital redevelopment.
A process of compulsory acquisition was started with Health Infrastructure NSW (HI) sending round officers to do valuations. Homeowners were invited to get their own valuations before negotiations over the final offer started.
Randwick councillor Philipa Veitch, who has been supporting residents, said HI offers were “very low” and said they quibbled over everything in the negotiations.
“It has been very difficult for residents,” she said. “They are losing their family homes, they are losing their community.”
Some residents accepted their offers but many didn’t, with some homeowners now taking the matter to the Land and Environment Court.
A legal dispute has also put the process back. Residents originally had a deadline to move out by the end of September — this was pushed back to the end of October.
However, the date for the start of demolition work remained and workers moved in last week.
“I don’t think HI planned on this,” Cr Veitch said.
“But it is a problem of their own making.”
David Farrell, who has lived in his home since 1981, is one of those who remains.
“It is going to be very disruptive,” he said.
“My daughter has her UNSW thesis and my wife has had cancer. With all the asbestos that is a concern. We just want them to wait until we have gone.”
Dimitrious Hatzitoulousis’ home has been in his family since the 1960s.
“The negotiations have been very distressing.
“It is not easy. We were promised no work would be done until we had gone. They don’t care about our health.”
HI said “minor clearance work” had started and that from mid-October demolition work will start.
A HI spokesman said here will be no risk to residents.
“Any hazardous materials on the site will be removed by licensed contractors in accordance with Safe Work NSW requirements and associated industry codes of practice,” a spokesman said. “The safety of patients, staff, workers, students, neighbours and local residents is our number one priority.”
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