Rozelle Parklands playground will be closed immediately after deadly asbestos was discovered in garden mulch
A popular children’s playground has been immediately closed following the shocking discovery of asbestos nearby.
Rozelle Parklands, built on former railway land above the Rozelle interchange in Sydney’s west, was closed after traces of the hazardous substance were found in garden mulch.
The popular new 10-hectare park, which opened just a month ago, took four years to build.
Despite ‘rigorous’ testing at the site, it was a young child who discovered the asbestos after coming into contact with it on Tuesday.
“It is very concerning that a child would actually come into contact with any form of asbestos,” said Mark Davies of contractor John Holland CPB Joint Ventures.
Rozelle Parklands, built on former railway land above the Rozelle interchange in Sydney’s west, was closed after traces of the hazardous substance were found in garden mulch.
The popular new 10-hectare park, which opened just a month ago, took four years to build
Transport for NSW announced the closure on Wednesday.
“Initially advised by an industrial hygienist who tested samples taken at the site yesterday, bonded asbestos was found in two samples,” the report said.
‘Remediation experts are currently conducting on-site testing of the material in the park to determine the extent of the contamination.
‘A number of preliminary air quality tests carried out at that location yesterday found no airborne particles outside the normally expected parameters.’
The authority said asbestos found in the sample was considered ‘low risk’.
Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne said the discovery was a “serious safety issue” as the hazardous material had been found around the children’s playground.
“Thousands of local children and families have used Rozelle Parklands in the month since it opened,” he said.
‘As a parent whose children have played there myself, I understand how worrying this will be for many thousands of local people.
“It is unbelievable that such a long-awaited community facility has been opened containing asbestos-contaminated materials.”
He said the council had written to Transport for NSW asking it to urgently test the entire site and make it safe again.
Despite ‘rigorous’ testing at the site, it was a young child who discovered the asbestos after coming into contact with it on Tuesday
How the deadly material got into the garden mulch is a mystery and under investigation
‘There must be a thorough investigation into how asbestos-contaminated material ended up in the park.
“If it is verified that this was carried out by the contractors who built the park, the government should throw the book at them.”
Inner West City Council is asking people to stay away from the area until further notice.
Worryingly, Mr Davies admitted the mulch had been used in other projects.
‘We are currently busy [the sites] and working with the EPA,” he said.
How the deadly material got into the garden mulch is a mystery and under investigation.
“The mulch we’ve looked at so far is a recycled material, it’s a sustainable product,” Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray said.
‘There are certain rules regarding the presence of recycled materials in standard mulch.
‘This is a widely used product. But let’s be clear: according to all rules, it does not contain asbestos or other hazardous substances.’