Asbestos discovered in mulch at newly-opened Rozelle Parklands

A landscaping contractor has made a terrifying discovery at a popular new park, leading authorities to shut down the area immediately.

Signs and barricades have been placed around a newly-opened Sydney park after asbestos traces were found in garden mulch samples.

The discovery was made on Tuesday when two samples taken by a landscaping contractor at Rozelle Parklands gave a positive reading for bonded asbestos.

The 10-hectare park located on top of the Rozelle Interchange opened less than a month ago on December 17, a major state government construction to connect the city’s inner-west with the CBD.

Transport for NSW have temporarily closed the park as remediation experts conduct further testing to understand the extent of the contamination, a statement from the organisation said.

Signs and barricades are placed around Rozelle Parklands in Sydney for it’s closure after asbestos was found in mulch surrounding a playground. Photo by: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

Rozelle Parklands in Sydney. Photo by: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

The park has been closed since the discovery was made. Photo by: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

Air quality tests taken at the site did not find any airborne particles outside of normal expected parameters, indicating the contamination is “low risk”.

“We will update the community later today on the results of the investigations and next steps as soon as possible,” a statement from TfNSW said.

They are working with NSW health, SafeWork, and the Environmental Protection Agency, to ensure the site is safe.

John Holland CPB Joint Venture, the contractor behind the Rozelle Interchange project, are on board to determine if garden products used at the site were used at any other locations across the city.

Asbestos is an extremely fibrous material that when breathed can become trapped in the lungs and increases the risk of developing cancer of the lung and ovary.