More asbestos samples found in mulch used in Rozelle Parklands mulch

The NSW Premier shared his thoughts on who should be responsible for the bill to fix a Sydney park that appears to be contaminated with asbestos.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has said the cost of remediating a Sydney park which has been contaminated with asbestos should not fall to taxpayers.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) on Thursday confirmed three new positive samples were found after further testing at the Rozelle Parklands on Wednesday.

Rozelle Parklands remains closed until further notice as contamination and remediation experts from TfNSW and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) comb the site for bonded asbestos.

Mr Minns on Friday said while he hadn’t been “briefed on the ultimate costs”, the government’s current priority was remediating the site and ensuring residents were aware of the contamination.

However, he said the responsibility “obviously” laid with the contractors John Holland CPB Joint Venture.

“Once we deal with the immediate threat, then we’ll get into the nitty gritty of who pays for it,” Mr Minns said.

“But I’d be very reluctant for any taxpayer dollar to go into something that’s clearly not our responsibility.”

The Rozelle Parklands in inner-city has been closed while experts undertake testing of the site. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Concerns over the asbestos contamination were raised after a child brought home contaminated mulch from the park, which led to widespread testing.

To date, the government agency confirmed only non-friable asbestos has been detected, which are substances where asbestos is mixed with cement or other hard bonding materials.

The substance is considered lower risk compared to friable asbestos, which is when the fibrous crystal has been pulverised or reduced to a powder. However non-friable asbestos can become friable through age, or if it is damaged.

Air monitoring of the site has also not found airborne particles “outside of normal expected parameters,” Thursday’s update said.

Three more detections of bonded asbestos were confirmed on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray said initial inquiries suggest the supplier of the mulch said use of the material “has been limited in its use outside of Rozelle”.

The EPA will be tasked with investigating how the mulch became contaminated with asbestos.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said if a potential breach of law has been committed, the government will “throw the book at them,” and ensure offenders are caught.

“This is public land, it’s very important that particularly when you’ve got families and children that are playing in a public area, they’ve got confidence that they can take their children there and it’ll be safe,” he said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the government would “throw the book” at anyone caught breaching rules around the disposal of asbestos. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne said the discovery was alarming and urged residents to stay away from Rozelle Parklands.

“It is beyond belief that such a long-awaited community facility has been opened with asbestos contaminated materials contained within it,” he said.

“There must be a thorough investigation about how asbestos contaminated material ended up within the park and if it is verified that this was carried out by the contractors constructing the park, then the government should throw the book at them.”

The 10-hectare park is located on top of the major Rozelle Interchange tolled road, which only opened to the public on December 17.