Response to discovery of asbestos at Rozelle Parklands

Wednesday 10 January 2024

This morning, Council was notified by the NSW Government about the discovery of asbestos contamination in the newly opened Rozelle Parklands.

This is a serious safety concern for Council and our community as thousands of local children and families have been using Rozelle Parklands in the month since it opened.

Contaminated material has been found in the mulch around the children’s playground.

As a parent whose children have been playing there myself, I understand how concerning this will be for many thousands of local people.

Council has, this morning, written to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) insisting on urgent and immediate testing of the entire site and remediation to make the Parklands safe for public use. TfNSW have now closed the park and are undertaking thorough testing.

It is beyond belief that such a long-awaited community facility has been opened with asbestos-contaminated materials contained within it.

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.

We ask that all local people stay away from Rozelle Parklands until further notice.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact Margaret Merten, margaret.merten@innerwest.nsw.gov.au