THE nature strip in front of an inner Ballarat house will be torn up and replaced after a piece of debris found on the strip last week was proven to contain asbestos.
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Telstra yesterday offered to replace the lawn in front of the Sussex Street house after tests conducted by City of Ballarat inspectors on the piece of material confirmed traces of the deadly fibres.
The fragment was part of the rubble removed from a Telstra pit by unprotected contractors as part of the National Broadband Network roll-out.
Tracy Tebb, whose family lives in the Sussex Street home, said she was relieved Telstra would act to ensure no trace of asbestos would be left near her house.
“(Telstra regional general manager) Bill Mundy from Telstra came around and he said Telstra is happy to replace the whole line of the nature strip with new turf,” Ms Tebb said.
“I don’t know when that’s actually happening. I have called Telstra and they’ve taken my details. There are still some sticks, leaves and debris around the area but I haven’t gone out and swept any further.
“We’re satisfied with the outcome. We have peace of mind. You can’t change what has happened but it is a positive outcome.”
Telstra chief operations officer Brendan Riley said the company would test to see if the asbestos had come from the remediation of one of its pits.
Ms Tebb was told by the Ballarat City Council yesterday morning the debris she had collected contained asbestos.
Prior to Telstra’s offer to replace the nature strip, Ms Tebb told The Courier she was still concerned about her family’s safety despite receiving the all-clear from a council inspector.
“When the licensed asbestos remover came, they removed the bin, which was done correctly, with the man wearing the appropriate safety clothing,” Ms Tebb said.
“Another inspector then came around and visually checked the area around the bin and the nature strip.
“There was nothing touched though, nor was he wearing any safety gear.
“I told the council that I was concerned that there could be fibres remaining in the nature strip soil that cannot by seen by the eye.
“Without the soil being tested, I wouldn’t feel comfortable about my husband going out with his lawn mower on a dry day either. Is the soil still contaminated? I don’t know.”
Since the asbestos was discovered, Ms Tebb has contacted NBN Co and been given a case number for further investigation.
The council has confirmed to The Courier the result of tests that showed the fragment contained asbestos.
“The resident was issued a clearance certificate from a qualified professional yesterday to confirm that her property is now clear of asbestos,” City of Ballarat chief executive officer Anthony Schinck said.
“Concerns about possible asbestos at the site of the Telstra works area have been reported to WorkSafe.”
Telstra has established a phone number for anyone with concerns about works in their neighbourhood. The Telstra hotline is 1800 067 225.
gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au
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