The mulch identified as being potentially contaminated with asbestos at the University's Camperdown Campus has been tested by a qualified and independent licensed asbestos assessor and analysed at a National Association of Testing Authorities accredited laboratory. All results have returned negative for the presence of asbestos in mulch within these garden beds. As such, the mulch within these beds no longer poses a potential health risk to our staff, students and visitors. Signage and barricading from these affected areas will be removed shortly.
The unused and packaged potentially contaminated mulch remains in isolation in a secure, signed and designated storage area. The University is working with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to safely remove and dispose of this potentially contaminated material. As a precaution, air monitoring for asbestos was conducted around the perimeter of this location with all samples returning negative.
The City of Sydney notified the University on 14 February that asbestos contaminated mulch has been found in Victoria Park, adjacent to the University's Camperdown Campus. The affected areas have been sectioned off and signposted and are due to be cleaned by licensed asbestos removalists. City of Sydney urges everyone to avoid the mulched garden beds and mulched areas under trees.
The NSW EPA contacted the University as part of its investigation into asbestos contaminated mulch across NSW, advising that a small amount of mulch that the University purchased from a third party may be contaminated.
The following three locations were fenced off and tested.