Fears kids’ health ‘on the line’ after asbestos uncovered at Parktone Primary School
Parents at a primary school in Melbourne’s south fear their children’s health is “on the line” after chunks of old cement containing harmful asbestos were found on an oval where “kids play on a daily basis”. But the principal insists the school is safe.
Inner South
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The principal of a primary school in Parkdale is trying to reassure parents who fear their children’s health is at risk after asbestos fibres were found in soil on the oval.
Parktone Primary principal Genevieve Casonato, in insisting that her school is safe, says she has been contacting the Department of Education when she finds “any little piece”.
Concerned parents say it could be the third discovery of the cancer-causing fibres at the Robert St school, found within cement sheathing pieces in soil where the school’s new stadium stands.
One school parent, who did not want to be named, told The Leader it was where “the kids play on a daily basis”.
But Ms Casonato said the department was overseeing fortnightly ‘walkovers’ of schoolgrounds before remediation works take place during the school holidays.
“When I find any little piece of cement sheathing, I call the department,” Ms Casonato said.
“Parents have been notified and an independent occupational hygienist conducts the walkovers.
“Air quality testing has shown the area to be safe and temporary fencing has been placed around the area and the boundary oval fence.”
But the worried parent said the education department’s response was not good enough and that calls to local MPs for help were going unanswered.
“Our children’s health is being put on the line,” she said.
The Victorian School Building Authority led construction for the stadium, which contains
a specialist centre, canteen, bleachers, and performing arts room.
Soil was moved underneath the building during construction, which commenced in late 2018 before it was unveiled earlier this year.
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Ms Casonato, who has served as principal for 18 months, also said there were “lots of” separate issues relating to the bleachers, but refused to elaborate.
“The bottom line is we’re making the school a safe and orderly environment,” she said.
She said she would “touch base with various department bodies” if she found anything that wasn’t right and they could “address it immediately.”
The Department of Education was contacted for comment.