Update on closure of Rozelle Parklands
Rozelle Parklands will remain closed until further notice while contamination and remediation experts continue their work and plans are developed to safely reopen the site to the community as soon as practical.
Targeted sample testing of the entire Rozelle Parklands site by independent contamination and remediation experts engaged by Transport for NSW is now complete.
An additional 16 samples have been analysed today with two further positive results reported – both were from a landscaped area containing recycled mulch that is not a publicly accessible part of the Rozelle site.
In total, more than 59 samples from Rozelle Parklands have now been analysed with a total of seven positive results showing traces of bonded asbestos, which is considered to be low risk compared to friable asbestos.
Independent experts are also assessing and conducting targeted testing at other areas outside the Rozelle Parklands, which were landscaped during the project’s multi-year construction phase, and to date these have not returned any positive results.
Steps taken this week include:
- Initial samples from a garden bed adjacent to the children’s playground were tested on Tuesday night with two samples returning positive for traces of bonded asbestos.
- The park was immediately closed to the public on Wednesday, with the public informed through a series of media and direct communications, and work commenced to erect temporary fencing to secure the entire site.
- Air monitoring also commenced on Tuesday and has continued at locations across the park throughout the week. These tests have not identified air borne particles outside of normal expected parameters.
- On Wednesday independent accredited occupational hygienist took 34 targeted samples from across the entire site with three confirmed positive for traces of bonded asbestos on Thursday.
- Today (Friday) the main perimeter fence was complete, and other areas associated with the project were assessed by remediation and contamination experts.
- Transport for NSW has emailed around 4500 registered community members and undertaken a door knock of homes (or letterbox drop) for residents immediately adjacent to the park.
Next steps
- Final analysis of remaining samples taken from other sites will be completed.
- Transport for NSW and contractor John Holland CPB Joint Venture are developing plans to safely replace affected recycled mulch and reopen the park for community use as soon as possible.
- Air monitoring will continue at locations around the site.
- TfNSW continues to work with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) which has also conducted its own testing of some areas of the park this week. This afternoon they have issued a draft Clean Up notice to formalise the removal of all contaminated mulch from the site.
We thank the community for their patience and understanding while we work through the next steps and will update them as more information becomes available.
Further information for the community is available at the Rozelle Parklands project website or by calling 1800 660 248.