TAFE’s epic mould infestation to cost $3m to fix

The multimillion-dollar cost of cleaning up a mould infestation at a Sunshine Coast TAFE campus has been revealed.  

A teaching block at the Nambour TAFE affected by mould

A STATE Government estimates hearing has revealed the cost to clean up a mould infestation which shut down part of a Coast TAFE campus will be more than $3 million.

During Education, Employment and Small Business Committee Estimates last week, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training director-general Mary-Anne Curtis confirmed she understood the estimated cost for remediation of Nambour TAFE’s D Block was “just over $3 million”.

The question was put to her by Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson, during a line of questioning which also confirmed complaints had first been made about air quality back in 2015.

Ms Simpson was told during Estimates the building had been assessed and results had shown indoor air quality was “good”.

In May, 2019, the building was tested again before scheduled renovations.

Surface mould was identified and a further review identified the types of mould in D Block as “common indoor and outdoor moulds”.

It was also revealed TAFE Queensland was working with a former employee, in relation to issues raised about the mould.

“I understand that it relates to an ongoing tribunal process and it relates to a medical condition,” Ms Curtis said.

“It is appropriate that we respect that individual’s privacy.”

Ms Simpson said students and teachers deserved safe classrooms to learn and work in.

“Students and staff were exposed to a noxious mould infestation at Nambour TAFE for years before the Labor Government took any action,” she said.

“The $3 million remediation bill shows just how long this toxic health risk was left to fester by Labor.”

Nicklin MP Marty Hunt said the State Government had ignored the concerns of students and teachers “for far too long”.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said D Block was due to be fully remediated by December.

She said further testing had taken place and no additional actions had been recommended.

An industrial cleaner was brought in to clean the affected areas, while equipment that could be salvaged was.

Heating, ventilation and airconditioning systems were set to be replaced, as would most of the floor coverings.

Internal painting would be finished and Ms Fentiman said civil engineering advice would be taken to determine other remediation actions such as improved site drainage.

She said one complaint of respiratory issues from mould exposure had been received by WorkCover in 2018.

It’d been rejected initially, and then again under review, but was now subject to an ongoing medical assessment tribunal process.

She said WH and S inspections in 2018 had deemed TAFE Queensland to have met all obligations to provide a safe workplace and communicate with staff and students.

Ms Fentiman said the affected areas had been immediately closed when the mould was detected in May, 2019.

Originally published as TAFE’s epic mould infestation to cost $3m to fix