Earthworks at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre in Bomaderry has found some non-friable asbestos impacted topsoil.
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The substance was found during works on the car park area but according to Shoalhaven CIty Council poses a very limited risk to the community.
Non-friable asbestos is a bonded material which is unlikely to release asbestos fibre and cannot be reduced to a powder form; posing limited risk to the community.
The suspect material was found in the form of pipes and fragments in an excavated area of the new car park. It also extended to the west of the existing stadium.
The material had apparently been imported to the site years ago and used as fill to create the previous field.
When the material was identified, a qualified hygienist and asbestos assessor licensed by SafeWork NSW was immediately engaged to provide specialist advice to council concerning the treatment, removal, and remediation of these areas.
Council said due to the material not posing a significant risk of harm, the EPA did not require notification.
“All actions by council and the contractor have been in accordance with the required legislation for handling asbestos material,” a spokesperson said.
All work with the asbestos materials has been supervised by a suitably licensed asbestos removal contractor with a permit to work issued by SafeWork NSW and in accordance with the code of practice.
Works have been monitored by the asbestos assessor and subject to clearance certificates.
The long-term remediation requires consideration by the hygienist and the regulator.
Initially, to allow the Shoalhaven Sports Centre works to progress, the materials required stockpiling with asbestos controls as per hygienist recommendations.
This consisted of consolidating affected materials in stockpiles within a suitable exclusion zone, posting signage and implementing water suppression by the use of sprinklers for adequate dust control.
Initially, a clearance certificate was issued for the building and car park areas which means the construction site could start.
The spokesperson said air monitoring conducted on-site had not detected any airborne materials, posing no risk to site personnel, the public or residents.
There remains a stockpile of material which is located in a controlled area, being managed in accordance with specialist advice and SafeWork requirements.
Future use of the material may include a permanently capped platform or mound on-site or removal for off-site disposal.
All options will be subject to preparation of a management plan by the hygienist, which will be contingent upon approval by the regulator.
Council has sent letters to nearby residents advising of the situation and to ensure they are fully informed of the management measures that have been taken.
For further information contact Gary George, Assets and Works Group on (02) 4429 3243 during business hours. Please quote council’s reference 55503E (D18/173188).
