Asbestos discovery halts work at state government’s flagship housing redevelopment

Squatters and drug dealers have overrun an abandoned public housing estate in North Melbourne after a shock asbestos find halted demolition. See the pictures.

An asbestos discovery has halted demolition at the North Melbourne public housing estate.

Work on one of the state government’s flagship public housing redevelopments has halted because asbestos was discovered during demolition.

The North Melbourne estate has been shut down for almost a month, angering residents who say they haven’t been informed about progress and health risks.

The abandoned site has become an eyesore and is now being used by squatters and drug users.

The low-level 1950s housing flats were due to be knocked down by the end of last year to make way for a new complex of private and social housing.

Squatters, graffiti vandals and drug users are now accessing the site.

Residents were moved out more than a year ago.

Internal asbestos was removed from the flats’ stoves, flues and showers last year but work stopped well before Christmas.

Demolition contractors Delta brought a digger and a work caravan on site in early February but work stopped again within days amid fears of land contamination.

Removal works had started on the old playground in the centre of the estate bordered by Abbotsford, Molesworth and Haines streets.

North Melbourne residents told the Herald Sun that the troubled project was a blight on the neighbourhood and wondered why previous tenants were forced out so soon before the redevelopment was to begin.

North and West Melbourne Association chairman Kevin Chamberlin said he was disappointed by the delays because accommodation for tenants was desperately needed.

“The association is a little surprised that they’ve just discovered asbestos as they’ve been owners and managers of the site since the original units were constructed,’’ Mr Chamberlin said.

Just one building at the public housing estate had been demolished before work stopped.

Neighbours were concerned about dust from the site and feared dust suppression measures had not occurred.

“We still don’t know what we as residents are being exposed to, as there’s no information forthcoming,’’ one resident said.

Demolition work has stopped at the site of the North Melbourne public housing flats which is to be redeveloped for a new public-private housing estate.

A project consultative committee including residents, developers and the department last met five months ago.

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said demolition was expected to resume by the middle of this month.

The homes in Molesworth St, North Melbourne, before demolition began. Picture: Supplied.

“All work to remove the asbestos will be undertaken by specialist contractors in accordance with environmental and safety regulations and there will be no impact or danger to immediate neighbours of the site,’’ he said.

The North Melbourne project, to be built by MAB Corporation, will have 133 new “social housing” homes, replacing the previous 112, although because the new apartments are smaller, fewer people are expected to be housed.

The North Melbourne project is one of 10 public housing sites being redeveloped by the state government.

MORE NEWS

DRAMATIC MOMENT CAR SOARS INTO BURWOOD HOME

DIDN’T TAKE LONG: POND CLAIMS FIRST UBER BIKE VICTIM

CITY LOOP CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS UNEARTHED

[e-mail]

@IanRoyall