Further samples of asbestos have been detected in the mulch surrounding a newly-opened playground, as the government is under the pump to replace the mulch following Tuesday’s alarming find.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) on Thursday confirmed three new positive samples were found after further testing at the Rozelle Parklands on Wednesday.
The 10-hectare park is located on top of the major Rozelle Interchange tolled road, which only opened to the public on December 17.
Rozelle Parklands remains closed until further notice as contamination and remediation experts from TfNSW) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) comb the site for bonded asbestos.
Concerns were raised after a child brought home contaminated mulch, which led to widespread testing.
The government agency confirmed only non-friable asbestos has been detected, which are substances where asbestos is mixed with cement or other hard bonding materials.
The substance is considered lower risk compared to friable asbestos, which is when the fibrous crystal has been pulverised or reduced to a powder. However non-friable asbestos can become friable through age, or if it is damaged.
Air monitoring of the site has also not found airborne particles “outside of normal expected parameters,” Thursday’s update said.
Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray said initial inquiries suggest the supplier of the mulch said use of the material “has been limited in its use outside of Rozelle”.
The EPA will be tasked with investigating how the mulch became contaminated with asbestos.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said if a potential breach of law has been committed, the government will “throw the book at them,” and ensure offenders are caught.
“This is public land, it’s very important that particularly when you’ve got families and children that are playing in a public area, they’ve got confidence that they can take their children there and it’ll be safe,” he said.
Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne said the discovery was alarming and urged residents to stay away from Rozelle Parklands.
“It is beyond belief that such a long-awaited community facility has been opened with asbestos contaminated materials contained within it,” he said.
“There must be a thorough investigation about how asbestos contaminated material ended up within the park and if it is verified that this was carried out by the contractors constructing the park, then the government should throw the book at them.”