Site now asbestos-free

Hazardous material out of Anglesea residential development

ASBESTOS has been removed from a new residential development in Anglesea.

A group of workers dressed in protective gear were seen undertaking removal works at the former Anglesea Primary School site late last week.

A WorkSafe spokeswoman confirmed that the authority had been notified of the removal works.

“WorkSafe was notified of works to remove asbestos containing material at Anglesea last week,” she said.

“WorkSafe is satisfied that the removal works were carried out appropriately.”

The site was bought by developers for $3 million in 2014, with the intention of developing it into a residential area.

An application was approved by the Surf Coast Shire in December, 2015, after the plan had been updated by developers to consider issues raised by the community around housing density, traffic and parking issues and loss of vegetation.

The original development plan listed 25 allotments in the estate. Every block of land in the Nautilus Estate is listed online as having been sold, with some allotments selling for upwards of $500,000.

The original Anglesea Primary school was built in 1927, when asbestos was still a commonly-used building material.

Surf Coast Shire planning and environment general manager Ransce Salan said the council had no obligation to consider whether the site was contaminated when approving the rezoning of the land.

“Rezoning the former Anglesea school land to a residential use could proceed without the planning authority having to consider whether the site was contaminated as it was not previously an industrial use,” he said. “WorkSafe is the responsible authority for monitoring asbestos safety at the site if asbestos is detected during the construction phase of the development.

“Contractors working at the site are required to get WorkSafe approval, and adhere to Worksafe standards, including the appropriate management of asbestos if it is present.”