The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has today confirmed the presence of bonded asbestos in mulch at another seven Sydney sites, taking the total number of positive sites to 41.
The contaminated sites are:
- Domremy College, Five Dock (previously identified for testing);
- Aldi Supermarket, Cobbitty;
- Riverstone Sports Centre, Riverstone;
- 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,” the EPA said in a statement.
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, the Authority said.
Over the weekend, Fire and Rescue NSW crews inspected more than 120 sites identified by the EPA, with more than 70 completed yesterday.
“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 Authority said.
The EPA is providing a daily update on our website.
The Authority has also tested and is awaiting results on mulch at the following Sydney schools:
- Edmondson Park Public School, Edmondson Park;
- Mount Annan Christian College, Currans Hill;
- Trinity Catholic Primary School, Kemps Creek.
As of 6pm yesterday, 683 tests have returned negative results since January 10.
