Myilly Point $2.7 million playground park cost blows out amid asbestos fears

QUESTIONS have been raised about a cost blowout, high levels of asbestos and project delays for the NT government’s $2.7 million Myilly Point playground

A new playground is being built in Larrakeyah. The current job site is a large hole and piles of dirt. Picture: Che Chorley

QUESTIONS have been raised about a cost blowout, high levels of asbestos and project delays for the NT government’s $2.7m Myilly Point playground.

CLP Port Darwin candidate Toby George called on the government to guarantee the health and safety of families and children would not be compromised at the playground “being built on an asbestos wasteland”.

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He said the Gunner government must reveal blowout costs and how big a problem asbestos is.

Mr George said construction was five months behind schedule.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler did not deny there had been a cost blowout or a problem with the amount of asbestos on the site.

“A final contract value will be determined when remediation works are complete,” Ms Lawler told the NT News.

Ms Lawler said asbestos could always be expected when redeveloping brownfield land in the Top End.

Mr George said he was concerned the new family park was being built on asbestos-riddled land. “It has to be remembered that this is a playground that no-one asked for and it is being built on a site well known for dangerous levels of asbestos contamination,” he said.

“Alongside is a massive wasteland of dumped asbestos from Cyclone Tracy.

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“Just ask the residents on the Cullen Bay boundary about the number of times asbestos has had to be cleaned up after being exposed by wet season rains.”

The NT government initially announced work was expected to be finished in February this year.