26 Feb 2024
Why is the mulch being investigated at Cranebrook High School?
The health and safety of our students and staff are our highest priorities. As a preventative measure to protect our community, the school engaged an independent hygienist to investigate and take samples of mulch laid in planta-boxes at Cranebrook High School before the start of Term 1 2024.
This preventative testing follows an investigation into asbestos contaminated mulch by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
What is the EPA investigation doing?
Recycled mulch must not contain asbestos or any material likely to cause pollution. Through the EPA supply chain tracking, precautionary testing is occurring at a number of sites around Sydney following the identification of asbestos in mulch.
To understand the extent of the issue and protect the community, the EPA is investigating other sites that have received mulch from the same manufacturer. The number one priority is contact tracing down the complex supply chain, and then facilitating testing, reporting and management of any positive results.
Is the testing at Cranebrook High School part of the EPA investigation?
No. To protect the health and safety of the students and staff and to provide certainty for the whole community, the school has undertaken the testing independently after it was clear from a visual inspection that recycled mulch had been used. The school and the Department of Education is working closely with the EPA to support the contact tracing process.
Was the mulch at Cranebrook High School from the same supplier as the Rozelle Parklands?
The supplier of mulch at the school was not the same as Rozelle Parklands. The supply chain is complex and the EPA is continuing to work on contact tracing.
Is all mulch at the school potentially contaminated?
No, not all of the mulch is contaminated. Test results returned late Thursday 22 February identified two pieces of bonded asbestos containing material from the 10 areas of mulch tested at Cranebrook High School.
How is this going to be fixed and what is happening to the mulch at Cranebrook High School?
The affected area is now inaccessible. The planta-boxes have been isolated and cordoned off using temporary fencing, shade cloth and are inaccessible to students and staff. Signage is in place. As an added measure, geofabric has been placed over top of the affected area and air monitoring has been installed.
The Department of Education is working with EPA officers, NSW SafeWork and an accredited independent hygienist to ensure all garden mulch is removed from the school and replaced with clean, unrecycled mulch. The affected mulch will be safely disposed of over the weekend.
EPA requirements and the department’s Asbestos Management Plan will continue to guide policy in this space to ensure the safety of school communities.
Is the school remaining open?
Yes, based on advice from the hygienist, Cranebrook High School will remain operational today and will be open as usual on Monday 26 February 2024.
Why are Cranebrook High School students continuing to attend school despite asbestos being found onsite?
NSW Health advises the community that the risk to human health of bonded asbestos is low. After finding bonded asbestos at two sites across the school on Thursday, 22 February, the hygienist advised the Department of Education that the school should remain operational, and the affected mulch will be safely remediated over the weekend.
My child/children spent their recess and lunch sitting and playing near the planta-boxes. Is there a possibility of their health being impacted?
The department understands that this may be concerning news for some people, however we want to assure you that the students health and safety is our utmost priority. The independent hygienist we are working with has said the school is safe to remain open with the appropriate isolations in place, and NSW Heatlh advises the community that the risk to human health of bonded asbestos is low.
Can my child undertake home learning during this time instead?
No. We know from the recent COVID pandemic how important it is for students to be at school with their teachers and friends. We also understand that many parents must go to work and are not home to assist their children’s learning. Our outstanding teachers will be working hard to adjust their teaching programs to suit our temporary arrangements, they will not have sufficient time to develop learning-from-home resources.
If my child has any concerns, who should I talk to?
This has not changed. The first point of call for your child is their class teacher or another staff member at their school. It will be explained to our students that our staff roles haven’t changed, we are here for them and provide the support needed.
How do I contact the school?
The school can be contacted directly at cranebrook-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au or call (02) 4729 0777.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the work being undertaken at the school?
If you have any questions about this work, please do not hesitate to contact School Infrastructure NSW on schoolinfrastructure@det.nsw.edu.au or during business hours on 1300 482 651.
Is mulch at other schools potentially contaminated?
The EPA contact tracing is continuing. The Department of Education is working closely with the EPA to trace and manage affected mulch and remediate the affected sites.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) supply chain tracking is identifying schools for precautionary testing and results are reported on the EPA website.
The decision to undertake precautionary testing is supported by the NSW Government Asbestos Taskforce, which includes representatives from NSW Health and the Department of Education.
The department’s asbestos management plan requires imported fill to be certified to appropriate NSW EPA guidelines. The department has updated technical specifications within its Education Facilities Standards & Guidelines to reflect recycled mulch must not be used on school projects and operational schools.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion. Due to these properties, it was used in the construction and building industry for many years. Asbestos was commonly used between the 1940s and late 1980s and is present today in materials of the era such as cement sheeting, some old heaters, vinyl floor tiles, insulation and wall lining.
Asbestos is no longer used in construction and refurbishment works at public schools.
The vast majority of materials containing asbestos is safe. Studies show that if the material is left undisturbed and is in sound condition it poses no risk to health.
Asbestos used in building materials takes several forms:
Bonded asbestos (non-friable) is attached to other materials such as cement or vinyl and cannot be crumbled or powdered by light pressure. Bonded asbestos does not pose a risk to human health if it is not disturbed because it does not become airborne.
Non-bonded asbestos (friable) – any material that contains asbestos and is in a powder form or can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. If disturbed, these fibres can become airborne. Friable asbestos can be inhaled and damage a person’s health.
How does the Department of Education manage asbestos in schools?
To continue managing the presence of asbestos in government schools, School Infrastructure NSW (which is part of the department) publishes the asbestos register for each school and conducts regular testing during school holiday periods to identify and remediate or remove asbestos containing material.
Please visit our website to learn more about how we manage hazardous materials.
What if I want to know more about the EPA’s investigations or facts about asbestos?
For more information about current precautionary testing of sites for asbestos contamination of mulch visit the EPA website.
All positive sites will be updated on the EPA website daily.
For more information on asbestos and health risks, please visit health.nsw.gov.au or download a factsheet.