FAQs
Why is Council remediating the site?
Small fragments of bonded asbestos fibro were discovered on the ground at Parraweena Reserve, Baulkham Hills, in December 2022. The asbestos contamination is historical and unrelated to recent incidents of asbestos contamination in mulch.
Council staff have been working with contractors who specialise in asbestos removal, including hygienists, to find the best solution to remediate the site. More tests have been conducted to understand the extent of contamination, which has taken some time.
After the asbestos was initially discovered, Council immediately barricaded a section of the reserve and removed any additional fragments found on the surface. A tarp was placed to contain any potential fibres, and signage was also clearly displayed around the site to warn people.
Further testing revealed that asbestos was also present in the soil throughout the reserve, however, the reserve is deemed safe to use in its current state and with the safety precautions in place as the asbestos is contained within the soil.
Does Council know where the asbestos came from?
Council believes that the asbestos has been present in the soil for a long time and it was exposed after rain had eroded the land. Asbestos was commonly used in construction until the mid-1980s and was later phased out. Therefore, it is not uncommon to discover asbestos on a property.
Originally, the reserve was a functioning orchard, but after the area was divided for housing, the land was handed over to the council to maintain as a park for the community.
When will works commence?
Once the detailed designs are finalised, the project will go out to procurement of a suitably qualified contractor to be engaged for construction to commence. It is proposed that construction will commence later this year, possibly during the Christmas School holidays to minimise impact and disturbance to the adjoining school.
How long will the remedial works take to complete?
The duration of works is expected to be several weeks, though the exact timing won’t be known until Council has progressed through the tendering process.
Why has cricket been removed?
The redesign of the reserve aims to integrate a variety of facilities, including a playground, walking paths, and a multi-use court. This multifaceted approach, while beneficial for community recreation, will limit the available area for a cricket ground. Opportunities for junior cricket that utilise rollout pitches may still be considered.
Will dog off-leash still be permissible?
As per the Council resolution on 23 May 2023, the timed dog off-leash activity is proposed to continue on a permanent basis between 4pm to 7pm daily.
Are any amenities going to be built?
There are no proposed amenities to be provided as part of the works.
What play elements are going into the playground?
The playground proposes to cater for varying ages with a variety of play opportunities including swings, a multi-play structure, a toss-ball tower and a balance trail with beam and steppers.
Will the playground be fenced?
Consistent with the levels of service as outlined in Council’s Recreation Strategy, local parks such as Parraweena Avenue Reserve do not generally contain fencing surrounding playgrounds. Subsequently, fencing around the playground will not be provided.
Will access be reinstated from the reserve to the school?
Yes, gated access will be reinstated between the Reserve and school, which will include a concrete path that will be accessible from Parraweena Avenue and via the pathway off Girralong Avenue.
When will the multi-purpose court be built if it doesn't get installed as part of this project?
Should the current works not permit the multi-purpose court to be built due to costs, the court will be added to Council’s Capital Works Program for future consideration when further funds do become available.
Does Council need to keep inspecting the Reserve for asbestos?
Council will continue to inspect the Reserve for asbestos, even after the remediation process.
Regular inspections help ensure that any disturbed asbestos is identified and removed promptly, maintaining a safe environment. These inspections will be carried out by staff or contractors trained in identifying and handling asbestos.
A management plan will also be prepared to ensure the facility is managed and maintained in accordance with the Remedial Action Plan for the site.
Given the asbestos is remaining on site, is the remedial plan to cap and cover it safe long term?
Yes - implementing a remedial strategy to encapsulate asbestos by capping and covering can serve as a secure and enduring approach. This technique includes the sealing of asbestos-containing materials with a protective layer or substance to inhibit the dispersal of fibres into the environment.
This method effectively contains the asbestos fibres, preventing their release into the air and consequently diminishing the likelihood of asbestos exposure. To maintain its efficiency, ongoing inspection to confirm the durability of the encapsulation over time will be undertaken.
Given the close proximity to the school, how do we know the children and staff are not exposed to asbestos during and post remedial works?
Ensuring a secure environment is essential during and after the remediation process, particularly when handling dangerous substances such as asbestos.
To guarantee the well-being of all individuals and children nearby, air monitoring is essential and will be conducted. This critical procedure will occur before, throughout, and following the asbestos remedial works and activities to evaluate the concentration of airborne fibres and confirm they remain within acceptable levels.
Following the remediation, air monitoring will continue to verify the complete and safe elimination of all asbestos, so certifying the air quality is within safe parameters during the remainder of the construction works onsite.