Council demands urgent action on asbestos stockpile

Walgett Shire Council management at the contaminated site. L-r Executive Manager Environmental Resources Charlie Simkin, General Manager Andrew Brown, and Director of Planning, Environment and Economy Donna Ausling. Photo Sherisse Fensom

Walgett Shire Council has stepped up its demands for urgent NSW government action in clearing a stockpile of asbestos within metres of residential homes at Namoi and Gingi reserves at Walgett.

According to council’s General Manager Andrew Brown, asbestos-contaminated material remains stockpiled within metres of family homes in the Namoi and Gingie villages, in areas where children play and families walk every day.

Mr Brown said there is an urgent and unacceptable public health risk that the NSW Government has allowed to continue for far too long.

Mayor Jasen Ramien said the situation was indefensible and would not be tolerated anywhere else in New South Wales.

“In Sydney, the smallest amount of asbestos can be front page news and immediate action follows. Out here we have around 40,000 cubic metres of contaminated material sitting within metres of homes, and it feels like no one cares,” Mayor Ramien said. […]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald. To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week or purchase and download a digital edition here.