Swifties rejoice! Tests show asbestos no threat to Sydney fans
Sydney's Taylor Swift fans can enjoy the show without fearing asbestos exposure. Photo: Getty
Sydney’s Olympic Park has been cleared of asbestos contamination after precautionary tests were conducted before crowds flock to the entertainment precinct for concerts by Taylor Swift.
The news wasn’t so good however at two more Sydney schools, with one announcing it will close for a week to allow for the removal of mulch contaminated with the lethal mineral to be removed
“The Harbour City is ready to welcome Tayor Swift with open arms and the hundreds of thousands of Swifties who we expect to enjoy those performances,” NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CEO Tony Chappel said on Sunday.
Bonded asbestos has been confirmed at two western suburbs schools however.
Penrith Christian School at Orchard Hills and St Luke’s Catholic College at Marsden Park are the latest sites. St Luke’s told the EPA it will close for a week while mulch is removed.
A single pile of mulch has been secured at Penrith Christian School and is not accessible to students, the agency said in a statement on Sunday.
Tests have been conducted at four more schools, NSW Education Department secretary Murat Dizdar said.
Results are pending for Edmondson Park Public School, Mount Annan Christian College at Curran’s Hill and Trinity Catholic Primary School at Kemps Creek, as well as in the inner west at Domremy Catholic College at Five Dock.
“We are hopeful of obtaining those results today so we can communicate to those school communities prior to the kick-off of the school week,” Mr Dizdar said.
Asbestos was previously identified at Liverpool West Public School in Sydney’s southwest and Allambie Heights Public School on the city’s northern beaches.
Liverpool West students have been offered in-person learning at Gulyangarri Public School, where Mr Dizdar plans to visit on Monday.
Allambie Heights Public School remains open.
The recent confirmations bring the number of positive sites to 34.
Tests have returned 662 negative results since January, the EPA said.
A fenced off area at Sutherland Hospital will be subject to testing, after an earlier confirmation at Campbelltown Hospital.
Materials found in mulch at a garden bed near the Audley Boatshed in the Royal National Park are being tested and the environment department has restricted access, the EPA said.
Westmead Christian Grammar School and the International Grammar School at Ultimo in inner Sydney have been cleared after earlier being identified as potential sites.
-AAP