Blue Mountains City Council resolved last night to adopt draft improvement plans, which respond to the recommendations of two interim reports into asbestos management.
The mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “The improvement plans are important documents that will form part of a holistic and integrated health and safety management system and strategy. They will drive improved workplace health and safety as well as the implementation of required reporting to the elected council and other bodies.
“They will also ensure council’s compliance with all applicable health and safety legislation and support achievement of best practice in relation to work, health and safety for council staff and for the Blue Mountains community.”
The elected council previously resolved (at recent extraordinary meetings) to adopt all the recommendations of both interim reports on the Blue Mountains City Council asbestos investigation.
The investigation is being conducted by reputable workplace health and safety lawyers from Clyde and Co. The third interim report is expected by March 31 and will be followed by the investigator’s final report.
“It is envisaged that once we get the final overall report on the asbestos investigation, that the improvement plans will be further reviewed and then finalised for adoption by the council,” Cr Greenhill said.
“The council will be forwarding the draft plans to SafeWork NSW, the Environmental Protection Authority and the Office of Local Government, to ensure they are acceptable. The organisation will also be seeking staff comments and input.”
The adoption of the provisional plans meets requirements of the performance improvement order, issued by the Minister for Local Government on January 22.
The first interim report of the investigation addressed asbestos management at Lawson car park, Lawson Mechanics Institute and Lawson depot. The second interim report investigated the presence of asbestos contaminated material at the former Blackheath landfill.
“The council did not hesitate to adopt the 15 recommendations [of the interim reports] in recognition of the seriousness of asbestos management and its intention to place the safety of staff and the community at the centre of operations and organisational culture,” Cr Greenhill said.
