The peaceful daily routines of Sydney residents and businesses were disrupted by the discovery of asbestos at various sites, including schools, parks, and an ALDI supermarket.

With this finding, a light has been cast on the increasing number of places across Sydney grappling with asbestos contamination—underlining the importance of awareness and safety in the community.

The contamination has been traced back to recycled mulch spread across these sites.

Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW) crews have inspected over 120 sites identified by the agency, with more than 90 per cent of the potentially contaminated mulch tested.

More sites in NSW have been found to be contaminated with asbestos. Credit: Freepik

Among the affected sites is Domremy College at Five Dock in Sydney's inner-west, which became the fifth school to confirm asbestos contamination.

While the college remains open, the contaminated site has been isolated and cordoned off.

Results are still pending for three other schools in southwest Sydney: Edmondson Park Public School, Mount Annan Christian College at Currans Hill, and Trinity Catholic Primary School at Kemps Creek.

‘We understand this may be unsettling for these school communities, but these results are expected later today,' NSW Environment Protection Agency (EPA) said in a statement on Monday, 19 February.

In western Sydney, St Luke's Catholic College in Marsden Park decided to close this week due to asbestos findings.

Meanwhile, Penrith Christian School in Orchard Hills remains open but has already fenced off the contaminated area.

Liverpool West is still closed, while students are offered in-person learning at nearby Gulyangarri Public School. Murat Dizdar, the Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, had a scheduled visit to Gulyangarri Public School on Monday, 19 February.

In a concerning development, an ALDI supermarket at Cobbitty, southwest of Sydney, has also been identified as a contaminated site.

The supermarket will reopen once the contaminated site has been contained.

Asbestos has also been confirmed at three other undisclosed sites, which the NSW EPA has not revealed for privacy reasons, stating they are not publicly accessible.

‘We're getting towards the end, so I don't want people to think this is never-ending,' Premier Chris Minns said.

The government is now considering potential increases in fines for companies found to be responsible for the contamination.

'We'll get the systems in place to make sure that if there [are] penalties imposed, it's not just the cost of doing business for these big companies,’ he added.



Certain areas of Sydney Olympic Park are undergoing re-testing in preparation for a busy weekend of concerts in the entertainment precinct.

The premier assured that this re-testing should not endanger the upcoming events, especially Taylor Swift's shows in the coming days.

The EPA is currently investigating a complicated supply chain to determine how the mulch became contaminated.

The EPA previously reported that all of the contaminated mulch was reportedly supplied by Greenlife Resource Recovery Facility (GRRF). It stated that this is ‘the largest investigation the Environment Protection Authority has undertaken in recent decades’.

EPA Chief Executive Tony Chappel has assured the public that a full report will be available once the investigation concludes.

The agency had been required to disclose a notice issued to Greenlife that they prevent supplying more mulch, which they are currently following, Chappel explained.

However, the company is fighting against the prevention order in court.

Greenlife’s mulch is independently tested by trusted laboratories, and they're sure the facility is free of contamination when it leaves their place, according to a statement they released on Wednesday, 14 February.

Asbestos is responsible for approximately 4,000 deaths each year from cancer and other asbestos-related diseases—three times the national road toll.

It's crucial for homeowners and do-it-yourself renovators to be aware of the health risks associated with this hazardous material.

In a previous story, authorities warned homeowners to inspect homes built before 1990 for asbestos before renovation. You can read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

• Asbestos has been confirmed at multiple sites across Sydney, including schools and an ALDI supermarket, with some locations being closed or sections cordoned off.
• The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is conducting an investigation into how recycled mulch became contaminated with asbestos and has taken action against Greenlife Resource Recovery.
• Over 40 sites, encompassing schools, hospitals, and parks, have been found to be contaminated with asbestos in the mulch, and the government is looking at increasing fines for such offences.
• Testing and containment efforts continue, focusing on ensuring public safety and concluding the investigation, which will result in a full public report.

Have you had any experiences with asbestos in your home or community? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

 

[Jest]

investigate what, it is asbestos. have the original operators get rid of it. they will not make that mistake again.

 

[Robbo3006]

I was told K mart at St. Marys nsw won't open because asbestos was found in that shop, maybe it's all through that shopping centre and they're not telling anyone, if so, why hasn't the government stepped in? Bet it's in every shopping centre but they don't tell us "westies" coz we don't matter and it would cost all those rich fukrs too much money to fix.

 

[Joydie]

My husband’s grandfather was the Newcastle manager of Hardies, the company who manufactured fibro sheeting for houses. It’s made from asbestos.

As children, back in the fifties, hubby and his sister used to love playing in the big warehouse, pretending the fibro dust was snow. They’d throw handfuls in the air and run under it until they were covered in asbestos dust. Hubby is 78, and his sister will be 80 next month.

My father built our fibro house in the late 40s. He was a teacher, so worked on it after school, on weekends, and school holidays. I used to love to help. Dad lived to 91 and I’m 78.

The thing about asbestos is, it’s not dangerous unless you inhale the dust, and even then, it won’t affect you unless you’re predisposed to lung disease. The only way you’re ever going to be affected, is by reasonably long term exposure to the dust. If the asbestos is intact, there’s very little risk.

 

[KatKop]

My husband’s grandfather was the Newcastle manager of Hardies, the company who manufactured fibro sheeting for houses. It’s made from asbestos.

As children, back in the fifties, hubby and his sister used to love playing in the big warehouse, pretending the fibro dust was snow. They’d throw handfuls in the air and run under it until they were covered in asbestos dust. Hubby is 78, and his sister will be 80 next month.

My father built our fibro house in the late 40s. He was a teacher, so worked on it after school, on weekends, and school holidays. I used to love to help. Dad lived to 91 and I’m 78.

The thing about asbestos is, it’s not dangerous unless you inhale the dust, and even then, it won’t affect you unless you’re predisposed to lung disease. The only way you’re ever going to be affected, is by reasonably long term exposure to the dust. If the asbestos is intact, there’s very little risk.

Thank you for bringing some perspective to this latest frenzy! @Joydie ! One would swear everyone will get Mesothelioma cancer just by walking through a park where contaminated mulch has been found. Yet another example of mass hysteria brought about by our so-called leaders.

 

[tabbycat2505]

beware if you get a payout for asbestosis Centerlink will classs it as a windfall just like winning the lotto

 

[Clancieblue]

It's not in the store it's in the garden outside the store .

 

[Joydie]

Thank you for bringing some perspective to this latest frenzy! @Joydie ! One would swear everyone will get Mesothelioma cancer just by walking through a park where contaminated mulch has been found. Yet another example of mass hysteria brought about by our so-called leaders.

I nursed a man with mesothelioma and it truly is a terrible death. But its incidence is rare. The hysteria is another instance of governments putting fear into people unnecessarily. Then, people think how wonderful it is to be kept safe by the wonderful governments. It's all part of the march towards a socialist state.

 

[Bob’s Buddy]

My husband’s grandfather was the Newcastle manager of Hardies, the company who manufactured fibro sheeting for houses. It’s made from asbestos.

As children, back in the fifties, hubby and his sister used to love playing in the big warehouse, pretending the fibro dust was snow. They’d throw handfuls in the air and run under it until they were covered in asbestos dust. Hubby is 78, and his sister will be 80 next month.

My father built our fibro house in the late 40s. He was a teacher, so worked on it after school, on weekends, and school holidays. I used to love to help. Dad lived to 91 and I’m 78.

The thing about asbestos is, it’s not dangerous unless you inhale the dust, and even then, it won’t affect you unless you’re predisposed to lung disease. The only way you’re ever going to be affected, is by reasonably long term exposure to the dust. If the asbestos is intact, there’s very little risk.

Thank you so much for stating the truth, it was what I was just about to do. It is everywhere! what are they going to do, shut down Australia! These companies shouldn’t be blamed or publicised for it, people are still living in Fibro homes what happens to them, will they be homeless. Most people our age grew up in a Fibro home and here we are alive and kicking. Yes, we even mucked around with broken pieces of Fibro with no affect. I know of people who have died from working with it many years ago but I believe it was long term work and yes they were inhaling the dust, very unfortunate and sad for them indeed, may God rest their souls. However, I don’t believe these areas are such a high threat as they are making them out to be. Excuse me if I am wrong.

 

[Joydie]

Thank you so much for stating the truth, it was what I was just about to do. It is everywhere! what are they going to do, shut down Australia! These companies shouldn’t be blamed or publicised for it, people are still living in Fibro homes what happens to them, will they be homeless. Most people our age grew up in a Fibro home and here we are alive and kicking. Yes, we even mucked around with broken pieces of Fibro with no affect. I know of people who have died from working with it many years ago but I believe it was long term work and yes they were inhaling the dust, very unfortunate and sad for them indeed, may God rest their souls. However, I don’t believe these areas are such a high threat as they are making them out to be. Excuse me if I am wrong.

Never apologise for your opinion. You have as much right to be heard as everyone else, and in this case, you’re absolutely correct.

This current nonsense about the asbestos mulch is media hysteria at its worst. As I’ve written previously, it’s simply another ploy of a socialist government to convince the masses that they need looking after and we, your government, are best equipped to do that. The left wing media then leap on board and beat it up to a ridiculous degree. The gullible public, busy filling their heads with mindless drivel about the latest ‘celebrity’, are happy to allow the government’s creeping socialism, because they can then get back to concentrating on the important things in their lives, such as the latest doings of Taylor Swift.

 

[Jest]

this is not a fault of any company, school or park. Get the distributers.

 

[AlanQ]

I was told K mart at St. Marys nsw won't open because asbestos was found in that shop, maybe it's all through that shopping centre and they're not telling anyone, if so, why hasn't the government stepped in? Bet it's in every shopping centre but they don't tell us "westies" coz we don't matter and it would cost all those rich fukrs too much money to fix.

Hey, Chicken Little I mean Robbo3006. Unless there's mulch in the Kmart store your just creating a false story. Stick to actual facts.

 

[Ezzy]

I lived up in a fibro asbestos home where the sleep out we slept in had an unlined external wall so the underside of sheets were the face side of our bedroom wall on one side. Asbestos was not a concern in the 50's & 60's. I have had regular chest x-rays the last few years following further exposure in a jod related situation.

 

[Bob’s Buddy]

Never apologise for your opinion. You have as much right to be heard as everyone else, and in this case, you’re absolutely correct.

This current nonsense about the asbestos mulch is media hysteria at its worst. As I’ve written previously, it’s simply another ploy of a socialist government to convince the masses that they need looking after and we, your government, are best equipped to do that. The left wing media then leap on board and beat it up to a ridiculous degree. The gullible public, busy filling their heads with mindless drivel about the latest ‘celebrity’, are happy to allow the government’s creeping socialism, because they can then get back to concentrating on the important things in their lives, such as the latest doings of Taylor Swift.

 

[AlanQ]

Never apologise for your opinion. You have as much right to be heard as everyone else, and in this case, you’re absolutely correct.

This current nonsense about the asbestos mulch is media hysteria at its worst. As I’ve written previously, it’s simply another ploy of a socialist government to convince the masses that they need looking after and we, your government, are best equipped to do that. The left wing media then leap on board and beat it up to a ridiculous degree. The gullible public, busy filling their heads with mindless drivel about the latest ‘celebrity’, are happy to allow the government’s creeping socialism, because they can then get back to concentrating on the important things in their lives, such as the latest doings of Taylor Swift.

I'm guessing you're true to you beliefs and have full private health and don't ever claim medicare or ANY form of welfare.

 

[AlanQ]

I lived up in a fibro asbestos home where the sleep out we slept in had an unlined external wall so the underside of sheets were the face side of our bedroom wall on one side. Asbestos was not a concern in the 50's & 60's. I have had regular chest x-rays the last few years following further exposure in a jod related situation.

Not ALL asbestos is a problem, but a blank bank has created the belief that it's all bad.

 

[Robbo3006]

Never apologise for your opinion. You have as much right to be heard as everyone else, and in this case, you’re absolutely correct.

This current nonsense about the asbestos mulch is media hysteria at its worst. As I’ve written previously, it’s simply another ploy of a socialist government to convince the masses that they need looking after and we, your government, are best equipped to do that. The left wing media then leap on board and beat it up to a ridiculous degree. The gullible public, busy filling their heads with mindless drivel about the latest ‘celebrity’, are happy to allow the government’s creeping socialism, because they can then get back to concentrating on the important things in their lives, such as the latest doings of Taylor Swift.

Exactly, create a problem, look like you're solving it, makes good hype for the government. Whilst you're thinking about this, they're sneaking bills thru parliament to give themselves payrises etc.

 

[AlanQ]

Once again on this site a made up story. Parliament DOES NOT set the pay structure, it is done by an independent Statutory Authority. IF you CAN name the bill then put it up. Otherwise stop listening to those voices you're hearing in your head.

 

[Ezzy]

Not ALL asbestos is a problem, but a blank bank has created the belief that it's all bad.

Not such a problem after the 70' s forward l believe, but dad worked for a pest control co. & a black puffer bulb with a brass tapered nozzle & powder in also sat on one of the timbers for many years. (Perhaps he was expecting white ants in the area & wanted to act quickly).

 

[Ezzy]

Once again on this site a made up story. Parliament DOES NOT set the pay structure, it is done by an independent Statutory Authority. IF you CAN name the bill then put it up. Otherwise stop listening to those voices you're hearing in your head.

Not sure who just awarded some top figures in W.A. a pay rise of $50,000 per year, but this was announced yesterday by our Premier & included the Police Commissioner.