Locals call for immediate stop work on Figtree home demolition amid asbestos fears

A former Wollongong councillor has called for an immediate stop work order on the demolition of a house in Figtree over concerns it is riddled with asbestos and puts nearby residents at risk.

Vicki Curran and neighbours first raised their concerns last weekend following a vandalism attack on the 1960s home late on Friday during which doors and windows were smashed and graffiti was sprayed across the property. The situation escalated this morning when contractors moved in to fence off the site.

The home's owner has a current development application with Council, seeking demolition of the building at 79 Bellevue Road, with a view to subdividing into two lots to construct four new dwellings.

The former independent councillor said she had proof that the building contains "highly dangerous" asbestos in its roof, and she called into question whether it was safe for demolition to begin at this time.

"I've made repeated attempts to Council to view the Complying Development Certificate because as Council knows, this building contains friable asbestos material in the roof cavity, which is considered a contamination," Vicki said. 

She said the certificate was issued "in a two-day turnaround, not 14 days as required, and with no notification of neighbours. It's actually invalid and I've called on Council to hold the same position, or to explain to me why they don't."

Vicki added: "I've made what I believe is a very reasonable suggestion in regard to a solution that will not cause unnecessary costs or delay to the owners, and that was a notice to 'make safe'. Asbestos is highly hazardous and Council is not taking this seriously."

Neighbours are seeking assurances that proper processes are followed, Vicki said. "It is very difficult to remove this asbestos safely. We want to know that a full assessment of the risk has been completed, we want the detail how they're going to remove the material and potentially in high winds, how it will be transported safely and how it will be safely disposed of.

"One of the conditions I'd like to see to protect workers' safety, and also residents' safety, and for kids walking past on their way to school, is for a class one asbestos assessor to be involved here, and only a class one assessor should be allowed on site.

Vicki said the neighbourhood won't sleep easy until they get the answers they need.

"They're really worried about the children who walk past. They've had no notification whatsoever. We don't know who's watching and regulating, making sure that conditions are met and making sure that the state regulations and protections of the environment and public health are met. This normally falls on Council. 

"We believe and we hold a high expectation that Council and our councillors, who refuse to get involved with this, which is absolutely ridiculous because we vote them in so that they can represent us. They delegate all responsibility for DAs, so they have a responsibility then to make sure the actions of the delegated officers are done so properly," Vicki said.

In a statement a Council spokesperson said, "The owner has obtained a Complying Development Certificate from a private certifier which, under NSW Government planning laws, permits demolition of the building. Council does not investigate reports of asbestos on building sites where the construction or demolition is being undertaken by a suitably licensed contractor.

"Resident concerns have been raised with Council. We have reported their concerns to the responsible authority, SafeWork NSW."