ASBESTOS WARNING AT SANDON POINT DEVELOPMENT

Embassy Raises Alarm As Public Not Told of Health Risks

Work Cover inspectors have closed off the south east corner of the controversial Stockland McCauley Beach development due to the exposure of a large amount of broken Asbestos sheeting.

Yesterday a team of 10 workers in protection suits were in the contained area picking up asbestos and placing them into large take away bags.

Asbestos, heavy metal and PAH contaminants has been dumped on the site over an 80 year period before Stockland purchased the site in early 2000.

Residents and northern Illawarra community groups were outraged by Stockland’s failure to notify them of the potential health risks from asbestos dust being blown on the wind.

A spokesperson for SPATE, said:  “The asbestos is within 30 metres adjacent to the Wilkies Walk public walkway.

“When the winds come up the dust and pollution from the massive clearing and excavating blows over houses, the railway station and the bike path.

“We are very concerned that the next time the rain falls there will be a major pollution incident on McCauleys Beach, as Stockland have no silt fences in place along their eastern boundary while the southern boundary ones are already breaching”.

Work had halted on the neighbouring ARV site where part of a sacred Aboriginal Women’s area has been cleared and excavated by Stockland over the last three weeks. The work has caused public protests and is the subject of a bitter legal battle between the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy and Stockland which continues on Friday November 18 in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Further Inquiries:

Karen Gough

0434 550 181