More than 200 Queensland state schools have had asbestos remediation works in the last financial year, with the state government spending more than $13 million on removing the hazardous material.
Significant numbers of older buildings in schools are known to contain asbestos, with testing and identification procedures taking place at more than 500 schools in the 2020-21 financial year.
One school, Sunnybank State High School, had such significant levels of asbestos that more than $2.5 million was spent on removal.
It is also the site of a Right to Information Request from 2020 regarding an alleged breach of the handling of asbestos, and internal reports that a contractor hired to install air conditioning had inadvertently drilled into asbestos sheeting resulting in an asbestos remediation team being dispatched to the site.
In addition to the significant amount of money spent on remediation, a further $2.6 million was spent on an asbestos audit program, which states that “it is important to know that asbestos-containing material (ACM) that is in good condition and left untouched is relatively low risk”.
“ACM was commonly used in building products until the late 1980s,” it stated. As many Queensland schools were built prior to 1990, it is not uncommon for ACM to be present in these facilities.
“To ensure the safety of students and staff, the condition of ACM in Department of Education owned facilities is monitored closely through asbestos audits conducted by the Department of Energy and Public Works, QBuild.”
The major political parties are in disagreement over the handling of the tasks, with the LNP education spokesman, Christian Rowan, explaining that the safety of students was paramount.
“These latest figures highlight the critical importance of ongoing asbestos identification and removal in Queensland schools,” he said.
“The government now expects parents and teachers to wait every six months for this important information, which is buried in an excel spreadsheet,” he said.
“The failure to provide this vital safety information publicly on a monthly basis is yet another example of the government abandoning its commitment to being open, transparent, and accountable with Queenslanders.”
According to the Department of Education, under the current Labor government, the change in reporting procedures was an “operational decision.”
“Educational facilities where the presence of asbestos is confirmed or assumed are required to keep and maintain an asbestos register under work health and safety regulations,” a spokeswoman said.
“Schools also ensure relevant staff have an awareness of asbestos or have received training for asbestos management responsibilities.
“Parents, caregivers, staff and other visitors are entitled to view the school’s asbestos register on request at their school administration.”