Probe launched after asbestos safety fears at site of luxury Broadbeach development
A resident's shocking discovery of suspected unsafe asbestos removal at a Broadbeach development has triggered a workplace safety probe.
The state’s workplace safety watchdog is investigating alleged improper asbestos removal at the site of a luxury development on the Gold Coast.
Two workers were spotted by a local resident removing asbestos without proper safety gear from the River Dell building on Old Burleigh Rd at Broadbeach on Thursday.
The ageing building, which was built in the 1960s, is being demolished to make way for the 27-storey Lumara tower.
5Point Projects, which is behind a number of developments in Palm Beach, lodged plans with the Gold Coast City Council for the project in June before it was approved in October.
The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said he noticed two men in hazmat suits removing what he believed to be asbestos on the second storey roof about 8.30am on Thursday.
He said one of the men was not wearing a face mask or gloves.
“There was no edge protection when they were working on the roof,” he said.
“Both had harnesses on but it wasn’t attached to anything … later, I noticed it had been attached.”
The resident said he witnessed the workers removing asbestos with a hammer and a punch bar and throwing it over the side of the roof.
“It hadn’t been misted down,” he claimed.
“It shouldn’t be just thrown over the side of the building.
“Most of it was going on a plastic sheet that was laid down but a lot was missing the sheet and going onto the grass which means it is very hard to clean up once it goes into the dirt and grass.
“It was a windy morning, the dust was going all over the place.
The resident claimed it was “very much airborne”.
The resident contacted WorkSafe Queensland and Gold Coast City Council to report the issue.
“I was shocked,” he said.
“In this day and age, asbestos poisoning is well known.”
A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) spokesman confirmed it had responded to a complaint involving asbestos removal at Broadbeach on Thursday.
“WHSQ Inspectors attended the site and have taken regulatory action,” he said.
“As this is a current investigation, no further comment can be made at this time.”
5Point manager director Damian Dove said the company was not carrying out any works at this location.
“We are not the owners of the land from which the photos were taken,” he said.
“At this stage, we are only marketing an exciting new development project called Lumara. “Our inquiries indicate that a licensed demolition contractor is currently undertaking works at the site and is responsible for those activities as the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU).”
Mr Dove said the company had been in contact with Work Safe Queensland who advised it had attended the site on Thursday and Friday and “reviewed the contractor’s documentation and controls, and confirmed that their works could continue safely and in accordance with regulatory requirements”.
The resident said he wouldn’t be going on his balcony for a few days and would be keeping his doors and windows closed to minimise the risk of exposure.
Gold Coast City Council has been made aware of the issue but a council spokeswoman said it was not investigating.
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Originally published as Probe launched after asbestos safety fears at site of luxury Broadbeach development
