Concern over asbestos removal from former Wantirna Heights School site

A WOMAN who lives near a former school site in Melbourne’s outer east says there was no warning before asbestos was removed — but the Education Department says otherwise.

Asbestos is being removed from the old Wantirna Heights School site, which has previously been targeted by vandals. Picture: Josie Hayden

A WOMAN who lives near the former Wantirna Heights School campus site says she got no warning before asbestos was removed from the site.

But the Education Department says it put up signs and alerted near by residents before starting the work, and followed correct procedures.

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Carmel Moss, who lives a couple of streets away from the Kingloch Parade site, said she saw a man at the site yesterday “all kitted up” for asbestos removal in protective clothing.

“I was concerned because it was a very windy day,” Ms Moss said.

“I was walking past, and there were no signs up at all to say this was going on.

“I just think it was appalling we didn’t receive any warning.”

Ms Moss said more workers returned to the site today, and yellow tape had been put up around the perimeter warning of asbestos removal.

Ms Moss said the Education Department had also not kept neighbours informed about the future of the site.

Vandalism at the Wantirna Heights School site, which was closed a few years ago. Picture: Josie Hayden

Education Department spokesman Alex Munro said all asbestos-related works were being done by licensed asbestos removal specialists and air-quality testing was done in accordance with the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety framework.

Mr Munro said the works were registered with WorkSafe Victoria and Knox Council and appropriate on-site signage was erected and a letterbox drop done to inform neighbours of the asbestos removal.

Asbestos removal works will be completed by the end of the month, before the demolition of the heavily vandalised buildings on the site.

Demolition is expected to be completed late next month (June).

The site was declared surplus by the department last year.

In March, Education Department spokeswoman Julia Hinde said as part of this process, the site was offered to other State, Commonwealth and local government authorities who might be interested in buying it.

But there had been no interest in the site so it was now being prepared for rezoning and public sale, Ms Hinde said.