Asbestos contamination of properties in affluent area South West Rocks St, has left one homeowner with a significant bill for the cleanup and upset neighbours needed to pay out of their own pockets.
The contamination happened when a contractor with a high-pressure water cleaner, began washing down asbestos off of a roof of one of the Seaview St homes.
Neighbours began to worry when the asbestos contaminated water began to raid down upon their properties.
ASBESTOS contamination of properties in an exclusive South West Rocks St last week has left one homeowner with a big bill for the clean-up and neighbours out of pocket and upset.
The contamination occurred last week after a contractor with a high-pressure water cleaner began washing down the asbestos roof of a house in Seaview St.
Neighbours quickly became concerned when water mixed with asbestos began to rain down on their properties.
One neighbour contacted Kempsey Shire Council to voice his concerns over the deadly material.
“I was told by the person I spoke to that the council only had jurisdiction over the work if it was the owner actually doing it,” the neighbour said.
“If it was a contractor then it was a problem for WorkCover. So I contacted the WorkCover office in Port Macquarie. They were very concerned and sent someone straight up to see what was going on.
“The man doing the pressure washing had left by then but WorkCover took control of the situation and ordered a clean-up.”
WorkCover engaged a professional asbestos decontamination service to undertake the clean-up, which, the agency told South West Rocks News, is almost complete.
Meanwhile an investigation into the incident is continuing.
“WorkCover directed the property owner to engage an occupational hygienist and licensed asbestos removalist to safely remove asbestos from the property and issue a clearance certificate declaring the site safe,” the spokesman said, referring to the decontamination operation.
“WorkCover is also providing advice to the owners of neighbouring properties.”
Meanwhile the owners of one of the adjoining properties, stated that the are out of pocket by approximately $5000 because of interrupted business.
A Kempsey Shire Council spokesman said the council will manage the issues according to the Protection of the Environoment Operations Act but did not wish to comment further.
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