Osborne Park property — asbestos removal
4801. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
I refer to the concerns that have been raised over the roof replacement and asbestos clean-up at 8a Carbon Court, and I ask —
(1) Has 8a Carbon Court been reported as a contaminated site?
(2) If yes to (1), has the Department of Environment investigated the site?
(3) Has the Department of Environment made any recommendations or provided any advice to the owner or agent of the building regarding the asbestos clean-up at the site?
(4) If yes to (3), will the Minister table that recommendation or advice?
(5) Is the Department of Environment satisfied with the current state of the building?
Hon HELEN MORTON replied:
The Minister for Environment has provided the following response:
(1) Yes, on 28 July 2011.
(2) The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) does not directly investigate contaminated sites. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, the responsibility for investigation and remediation of contaminated sites in the first instance rests with the party who caused the contamination.
(3) Yes.
(4) DEC, in consultation with the Department of Health, classified the site as contaminated — remediation required on 3 October 2011. A classification under the Contaminated Sites Act relates only to land (exterior soils) at the site and does not apply to any buildings or indoor areas.
The owner’s agent was notified on 3 October 2011 that the site had been classified, and that this classification requires the site be remediated and validated in accordance with DEC’s Contaminated Sites Management Series Guidelines.
(5) The condition of buildings and indoor areas is dealt with by the relevant local government and is not the responsibility of DEC.