Greens Call For Immediate Halt To Today's Asbestos Shed Demolition On Surplus Defense Force Land

MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday 13^th July 2002 GREENS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE HALT TO TODAY’S

ASBESTOS SHED DEMOLITON ON SURPLUS

DEFENCE FORCE LAND

This morning resident’s are claiming that the ongoing demolition of a huge asbestos shed in Bundock Street Randwick has been dangerously casual and too sloppy. The Greens have called an immediate suspension of work on the Defence Force owned property over the weekend. Randwick City Greens Councillor Murray Matson is critical of Defence’s failure to place warning signs. He said this morning, "There is probably no good time to demolish a dangerous old asbestos shed of at least 3,000 square meters in area, but I would think Saturday would be the worst possible time of the week to do it. We’ve got people walking along Bundock Street just 20 meters from workers wearing gas masks. Residents have told me that there are no warning signs up." Clr Matson claimed that residents had advised him that there was no water being sprayed to reduce the incident of airborne asbestos fibres. He also stated that there was a lack of confidence in the effectiveness of a safety procedure involving the spraying of PVC glue on to the asbestos sheets prior to removal. He said, "Residents have told me that water is not being used to dampen down fibres. They are also worried that the glue that is being sprayed can’t be more than 40% effective because it can only be applied to the outside of the asbestos sheet before its removed. I would like that question to be cleared up. I am told that workers are currently bashing the sheet’s fasteners out with hammers." The Department of Defence has advised residents that its consultants Fitzwalter Group … "… has put safety and environmental plans into place with which all contractors working at the site must comply. These include issues such as dust minimisation, air and noise monitoring, safe work practices, emergency and reporting procedures etc." ("neighbourhood news", edition 02 May 2002) Andrew Freeman of Fitzwalter Group is advertised as being contactable on (02)9344-5800 or 0417-246146. CONTACT:Randwick Greens Clr. Murray Matson, 9611-9413 or 0409-984587