Page 2962 - Week 08 - Thursday, 15 August 2019
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It has been said many times before, and I will say it again here today: the Mr Fluffy story has never been just about bricks and mortar. It is about the people and their families, their fears and anger, their relief and hope for the future. The key to the task force’s success in delivering a program of this magnitude has been maintaining a strong focus throughout on the people, providing compassionate support, clear guidance and meaningful assistance. The community consultation program around the Mr Fluffy legacy project is looking at ways of permanently acknowledging the impacts of Mr Fluffy on those affected and the wider Canberra community.
The ACT government’s regulatory response, led by WorkSafe ACT, has also been strong. WorkSafe ACT undertook 226 Mr Fluffy-related inspections for removal and demolitions from 1 July 2018 to 31 May 2019. This included regulatory compliance for two private demolitions. For the reporting period 2018-19, 2,550 notifications have been received for asbestos removal works in the ACT for both friable and non-friable asbestos. Twenty-five of these related to the eradication scheme.
Asbestos contamination reports for affected properties which remain occupied are being monitored to ensure compliance with requirements under the Dangerous Substances Act 2004. There are currently 39 properties on the affected residential premises register that are subject to these requirements. The Work Safety Commissioner has written to occupiers, reminding them of their obligations for the safety of residents and visitors alike, and also penalties for non-compliance.
Beyond the Mr Fluffy scheme, WorkSafe ACT continues to work with contractors on the national broadband network rollout to ensure safe and efficient removal of asbestos from communication pits to minimise the impact on the schedule of works under agreements with the regulator. There is also continued work, with WorkSafe engaging with contractors in the rollout of new electricity meter boards as they are installed in residential and commercial premises under the power of choice program.
In relation to the ongoing work at Ainslie shops, the environmental cleaning from units 1 to 7, as reported last year, is now complete and WorkSafe ACT continues to engage with the owners of the buildings who are required to complete annual updated asbestos management plans. This additional control measure ensures there is no risk to users of the Ainslie shops.
There has also been comprehensive work undertaken by the Education Directorate. There are 69 public schools, including Jervis Bay school, with confirmed presence of asbestos-containing materials. Each of these schools has a hazardous materials survey and management plan, including an asbestos register. A floor plan showing the known areas where asbestos-containing materials are located is also displayed in the front entry area of all the schools. These documents, prepared by an independent licensed asbestos assessor, inform the school community, visitors and tradespeople of the location of asbestos-containing materials in the school.
An audit of asbestos management in ACT public schools was undertaken between November 2017 and March 2018, with the final report distributed on 4 September 2018. Although in use for some years, the current method of asbestos tracking and
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