The New South Wales state government has made the decision to hold off remediation works at the contaminated Woodsreef asbestos mine in New South Wales. This was decided to avoid disturbing the endangered large-eared bats which rest in a derelict building on the site.
The site is heavily toxic with a 75-metre pile of asbestos tailings and an old eight level building which is greatly contaminated with asbestos fibers. The public are at risk of being exposed from this toxic site given a public road divides the site and this is frequently used by the site’s neighbors.
A report has said that the NSW state government’s failure to take action in relation to the states derelict asbestos mine is putting the health of the public at risk and also showing inadequacy in asbestos management. Even Bruce Barbour, the NSW Ombudsman, has called the states decision to delay remedial works strange as these works are important to protect the community from the harmful effects of asbestos exposure. These health risks are very serious as even small amounts of asbestos exposure can cause a person to contract asbestosis and the cancer mesothelioma.
It is surprising that remedial work is yet to begin at the site which was closed in 1983 in light of Australia’s struggle with mesothelioma. Currently Australia has the one of the highest incidences of mesothelioma in the world and the number of new cases is expected to rise. It would thus seem that any steps to reduce the risk of mesothelioma should be taken immediately and not delayed. Mesothelioma asbestos claims in Australia are on the rise and this is a testament to the incidence of mesothelioma in Australia.
