Blue Mountains Council has blocked off access to the Lawson Mechanics Institute while licensed asbestos analysts remove asbestos near the car park.
A council spokeswoman confirmed a “licensed asbestos analyst was engaged this week to undertake soil sample testing within areas surrounding the car park, following concerns raised by council employees and the discovery of two pieces of bonded asbestos fragments in the area”.
“As a safety measure, the site has been closed off with barriers and warning signs until the consulting company can complete their testing and advise council as to the extent and nature of any contamination,” she told the Gazette after questions were put to the council.
The site was subject to a number of previous inspection and testing programs.
“All of which identified no asbestos contamination. The location received a full Clearance Certificate by two different asbestos consulting companies in November and December 2017. It was also cleared by SafeWork in February 2018, as a component of the re-inspection program,” she said.
The council spokeswoman said the incident “highlights the complex challenge associated with the management of asbestos”
“Notwithstanding, council reasserts its absolute commitment to complying with all aspects of the Performance Improvement Order, issued by the State Government, and to responsibly managing asbestos in the city.
“Given the carpark is not currently available to use, events planned at the centre this weekend are being relocated.”
A Blue Mountains Police spokesman said they were not investigating the site and “had not received any correspondence regarding this matter”.
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