WORK on Bathurst’s bicentenary flag staff has been suspended after asbestos was found on the site at Bicentennial Park.
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While demolishing the old toilet block at the flag staff work site, Bathurst Regional Council contractors yesterday discovered broken asbestos sheeting which has been buried under the foundations for more than 60 years.
Council will now close Stanley Street to all general traffic from Monday, November 17 to Friday November, 21 from 6am-5pm to ensure the safe removal of the hazardous material from the park.
In the interest of public safety, the adjacent walkway will also be closed, however, residents will still have access to their houses
A council spokesperson yesterday said there was no need for any further safety precautions for those living in close proximity.
As a result of the discovery, all major work has temporarily stopped on the site and all construction materials have been secured.
A team of specialists with safety suits and equipment will start removing the material from next Monday.
All hazardous material will be sent to the Bathurst Waste Management Centre in accordance with council policy and WorkCover requirements.
The discovery was made when a contractor using an excavator discovered what appeared to be a pile of rubbish about one metre below the surface of the ground.
While it included broken asbestos cement (fibro) sheeting, other waste materials were also uncovered.
Contractors managing the site, Tablelands Builders, immediately stopped work and activated the site safety plan.
Council engineers called in environmental specialists to assess the material and its extent across the site.
Two sample holes were dug and test results showed that asbestos sheeting was among the waste.
A spokesperson said the demolished toilet block was built in the late 1980s and was not expected to include asbestos materials in its construction.
Council was, however, aware of the potential of rubbish dump sites located around the area.
It is planned that construction work will continue at the site as normal from Monday, November 25 and that the lost days will be made up in time for the May 7 Proclamation Day celebrations.
