Image: Workers seen in the Rozelle Parklands. Bianca de Marchi, AAP
by GRACE JOHNSON
Inner West Council has launched legal action against contractors John Holland and CPB to expedite the clean-up of the asbestos contamination in Rozelle Parklands.
The Environment Protection Authority had issued Transport NSW two notices to remove the mulch by February 29, but the council is now taking action to hold the contractors accountable.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said it is “completely unacceptable” that the remediation is behind schedule and that the delays were having a huge impact on the community.
“Six weeks after asbestos was first discovered at Rozelle Parklands, these contractors are hopelessly behind on the schedule for remediation,” he said.
“They have simply not employed enough workers to carry out the emergency clean-up in time and have decided to cut costs rather than uphold their obligation to public safety and the people of the Inner West.”
Members of the community have not been able to access the park since asbestos was first discovered in mid-January, only a few weeks after the Rozelle Parklands were officially opened.
The mayor said John Holland and CPB have displayed a “flagrant disregard” for the local community since asbestos-contaminated mulch was found.
“They have refused to even respond to correspondence from Council or to meet with local community representatives,” he said.
“Throughout the construction of the Interchange, they have ignored and fobbed off thousands of legitimate complaints from local residents about construction impacts.”
The contractors have reportedly ignored all attempts at correspondence from the council and to meet with local community representatives.
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