Asbestos investigation updates - 19 February

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed the presence of bonded asbestos in mulch at another seven sites.

They are:

  • Domremy College, Five Dock (previously identified for testing)
  • Aldi Supermarket, Cobbitty (will open once site is contained)
  • Riverstone Sports Centre, Riverstone (regularly closed on Mondays and site will be contained)
  • Carlingford-to-Parramatta Shared Path, Telopea (part of the Parramatta Light Rail project)

These sites will be contained today. Three other sites have returned positive results but are not being identified for privacy reasons. They are not publicly accessible.

Domremy College has advised that the impacted area is isolated and cordoned off and that school is open today. A hygienist has been engaged to determine the next steps, in consultation with government advisers.

These new detections of bonded asbestos take the total number of positive sites to 41. NSW Health advises bonded asbestos is low-risk to the community.

As of 6pm yesterday, 683 tests have returned negative results since January 10.

Over the weekend, Fire and Rescue NSW crews inspected more than 120 sites identified by the EPA, with more than 70 completed yesterday (Sunday). The EPA would like to thank Fire and Rescue NSW crews for their professionalism and help to expedite testing to support our operations.

We are still awaiting test results from previously identified schools. These include:

  • Edmondson Park Public School, Edmondson Park
  • Mount Annan Christian College, Currans Hill
  • Trinity Catholic Primary School, Kemps Creek.

We understand this may be unsettling for these school communities but these results are expected later today. All schools have made individual risk assessments based on the amount and distribution of mulch onsite.

The EPA is providing a daily update on our website.

Asbestos investigation schools list

Bonded asbestos detected in mulch

  • Allambie Heights Public School, Allambie Heights (small isolated garden, school remains open, site fenced off)
  • Domremy College, Five Dock (school remains open, site isolated and cordoned off)
  • Liverpool West Public School, Liverpool (school open at different site)
  • Penrith Christian School, Orchard Hills (school remains open, site fenced off)
  • St Luke’s Catholic College, Marsden Park (the school has made the decision to close for the week with parents being notified)

No bonded or friable asbestos detected

  • International Grammar School, Ultimo
  • North Sydney Public School, Waverton
  • St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Daceyville
  • Westmead Christian Grammar School, Westmead

Tested and awaiting results

  • Edmondson Park Public School, Edmondson Park
  • Mount Annan Christian College, Currans Hill
  • Trinity Catholic Primary School, Kemps Creek

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