A residential complex in Denman Prospect has tested positive to a small amount of friable asbestos in its garden mulch, says WorkSafe ACT.

On Wednesday afternoon WorkSafe ACT was alerted to the sample and immediate steps to isolate the area from the public.

Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius says the site is being treated in the same way as the nine other sites that returned positive results for bonded asbestos. Inspectors have issued a prohibition notice to not disturb, handle or dispose of mulch material until further assessment and remediation action can be arranged. Residents are being contacted.

Meanwhile the ACT government has affirmed that all garden mulch that has tested positive through the contamination issue emanating from NSW will be immediately remediated and advice on further testing, disposal and remediation will be provided to all ACT residences that have returned initial negative test results.

Unlike bonded asbestos that is mixed with cement or resin to keep fibres in place, friable asbestos can more easily be crushed into a powder and has a higher risk of airborne fibres.

However, Ms Agius says that while friable asbestos is a higher risk than bonded asbestos, what has been identified poses a low risk to public safety.

“Out of the 100 cubic metres of mulch on the site, only 0.2 grams of friable asbestos was identified, despite extensive testing of the site. The report from the Licensed Asbestos Assessor shows that the friable asbestos was only found in one of 16 samples taken from across the residential complex,” she says.

“I have been advised by the assessor that the quantities and localised nature of the contamination on this site constitute a low risk to the public safety”.

The mulch was provided by the original NSW supplier, Greenlife and delivered into the ACT.

The ACT EPA has completed inspections of local green mulch producers and confirmed that rigorous contamination control processes are being followed.  There is no known impact on any government-owned public facilities, including parks, playgrounds and public schools.