❓ Rick Mazza raises concerns about asbestos contamination at Merredin College and WA College of Agriculture Cunderdin, questioning the adequacy of existing reports and management plans. The Parliamentary Secretary clarifies the Department of Health's role and refers some questions to the Minister for Education and Training.
AnsweredQoN 602Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ASBESTOS —
MERREDIN COLLEGEAND WESTERN AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE CUNDERDIN
602. Hon RICK MAZZA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the 9 June 2019 The
Sunday Times article titled ''Asbestos concerns'', in which
it was reported that Department of Health officials are worried about asbestos
fragments scattered across Merredin College and the Western Australian College
of Agriculture Cunderdin.
(1) Does the
minister agree with the Health officials referenced in the article that the
Department of Health report on the hazard is deficient; and, if not, why not?
(2) How much of the
asbestos-impacted area at Merredin College has been assessed?
(3) Has an
appropriate and site-specific asbestos management plan been put in place at
Merredin College; and, if not, why not?
(4) Is there an asbestos problem at
the Western Australian College of Agriculture Cunderdin?
(5) If yes to (4), what is being done as part of a long-term
solution to remove asbestos contamination from the grounds?
MERREDIN COLLEGEAND WESTERN AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE CUNDERDIN
602. Hon RICK MAZZA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the 9 June 2019 The
Sunday Times article titled ''Asbestos concerns'', in which
it was reported that Department of Health officials are worried about asbestos
fragments scattered across Merredin College and the Western Australian College
of Agriculture Cunderdin.
(1) Does the
minister agree with the Health officials referenced in the article that the
Department of Health report on the hazard is deficient; and, if not, why not?
(2) How much of the
asbestos-impacted area at Merredin College has been assessed?
(3) Has an
appropriate and site-specific asbestos management plan been put in place at
Merredin College; and, if not, why not?
(4) Is there an asbestos problem at
the Western Australian College of Agriculture Cunderdin?
(5) If yes to (4), what is being done as part of a long-term
solution to remove asbestos contamination from the grounds?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The
Department of Health has not investigated the site or written a report. Reports
on the site have been prepared by consultants engaged by Building Management
and Works, Department of Finance.
(2) Investigation
of the college has been completed by a consultant. The consultant report states
that a full site inspection was completed in October 2017. Remediation works
have since been undertaken at the site.
(3) I am advised that this question
should be directed to the Minister for Education and Training.
(4)–(5) The
information the Department of Health has is that the surface asbestos cement
impacts have been remediated. There may be buried asbestos cement fragments.
Access to buried material can be restricted and managed by the facility and the
Department of Education.
some notice of the question.
(1) The
Department of Health has not investigated the site or written a report. Reports
on the site have been prepared by consultants engaged by Building Management
and Works, Department of Finance.
(2) Investigation
of the college has been completed by a consultant. The consultant report states
that a full site inspection was completed in October 2017. Remediation works
have since been undertaken at the site.
(3) I am advised that this question
should be directed to the Minister for Education and Training.
(4)–(5) The
information the Department of Health has is that the surface asbestos cement
impacts have been remediated. There may be buried asbestos cement fragments.
Access to buried material can be restricted and managed by the facility and the
Department of Education.
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