The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed the presence of bonded asbestos in mulch at another two previously identified sites. They are:
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Penrith Christian School, Orchard Hills
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St Luke’s Catholic College, Marsden Park
Penrith Christian School has advised that a single pile of mulch has been secured and is not accessible to students. Removal is being arranged. St Luke’s Catholic College has advised it will be closing for one week while the mulch is removed.
These new detections of bonded asbestos take the total number of positive sites to 34. NSW Health advises bonded asbestos is low-risk to the community.
As of 6pm yesterday, 662 tests have returned negative results since January 10.
Testing has found no bonded or friable asbestos at the following schools, which were identified as potential sites:
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International Grammar School, Ultimo
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Westmead Christian Grammar School, Westmead
In addition, precautionary testing on median strips at Sydney Olympic Park have returned negative tests for bonded and friable asbestos. There will be no impacts to scheduled events.
Sutherland Hospital has been identified for priority testing, and as a precaution an at-risk area has been fenced off. Inspection of the site and testing has been arranged.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has advised the EPA it has taken the precautionary measure of restricting access to a garden bed near the Audley Boatshed in the Royal National Park while materials found in mulch are tested.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews are playing a critical role supporting the EPA this weekend. Yesterday, crews inspected nearly 60 sites identified by the EPA. This is precautionary testing only and at this stage there is no indication that any of these sites have asbestos.
The EPA is providing a daily update on our website.