Criminal investigation considers possible foul play in asbestos contamination of garden mulch

At least 25 sites across the city have been found to contain garden mulch contaminated with the deadly material.

A criminal investigation into the widespread asbestos contamination of garden mulch in Sydney will consider whether foul play was involved.

More than 70 garden beds and parks are currently being tested across the city, with at least 25 sites already confirmed to contain the deadly material.

On Thursday, St John of God Hospital in North Richmond, Kellyville Woolworths and a Transport for NSW park at Wiley Park were all added to the list of confirmed sites with asbestos contamination.

NSW EPA chief executive Tony Chappel said the criminal investigation into the contamination will consider foul play as one of the possible causes.

“We are looking at multiple lines of inquiry absolutely, including allegations of foul play or criminal conduct,” he told 2GB radio station on Friday.

A widespread asbestos contamination has resulted in seven more schools being tested. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The EPA has not identified any suspects and no charges have been laid.

South-west Sydney based mulch supplier Greenlife Resource Recovery Facility recycles wooden pallets into the garden product which was linked to the material which was found at multiple contaminated sites.

GRRF’s lawyer Ross Fox of Fishburn Watson O’Brien told ABC radio, the EPA visited their operations centre and inspected their remaining stockpile of mulch.

Multiple parks, gardens and schools have been tested for contamination. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

The pile returned a negative result for asbestos contamination.

The mulch found at multiple contaminated sites across Sydney was delivered between 12 to 18 months ago, and it is possible no similarly aged mulch would remain in the stockpile.

Mr Fox will appear on behalf of his clients at the Land and Environment court next week to challenge an EPA order to stop trading while the investigation is underway.

Students at Liverpool West Public School will be forced to attend a neighbouring school. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Seven more schools were identified for precautionary testing after one of the largest supply chain tracking operations undertaken by the NSW EPA’s Asbestos Taskforce though there is no evidence so far to suggest the sites are actually contaminated.

They all received mulch from the same manufacturer linked to other confirmed asbestos contamination sites.

The contamination impacted a popular annual festival in Sydney. Mardi Gras Fair Day has been cancelled four days out from the event after asbestos was discovered in Victoria Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

So far, just 10 per cent of the sites tested have returned a positive result for asbestos.

Testing began on Thursday and will continue into Friday, with just one out of the seven schools making the decision to close while it gets underway.

All the schools being tested for asbestos:

• Allambie Heights Public School in Allambie Heights
• International Grammar School in Ultimo
• Mt Annan Christian College in Mt Annan
• North Sydney Public School in North Sydney
• Penrith Christian School in Orchard Hills
• St Luke’s Catholic College in Marsden Park – Closed today.
• Westmead Christian Grammar in Westmead

Schools that are remaining open are advised to keep students and staff away from garden beds in and around the school sites, and to expect to see EPA officers on the ground throughout the day.

Parents with concerns about mulch in their child’s school, can contact the school directly for the most up to date information.

Businesses with concerns about recently received mulch are urged to contact the EPA Environment Line on 131 555 or at [e-mail].