After a lot of frustration in dealing with costs, complexities and bureaucracy, DSMG is really pleased to announce that the remediation of asbestos contamination at the BNI in the area proposed for the small storage shed and covered work area has been completed.
Contractors worked all day (7.00am to 5.00pm) on Tuesday 11 February to remove 30 tons of contaminated material that was left behind when farm sheds built between 1965 and 1978 were demolished carelessly, leaving extensive and dangerous asbestos spread across the site.
The contamination was identified in August during site preparation for installation of a storage shed and covered work area for community events. This halted work while DSMG established what was required (and what was actually allowed under Heritage restrictions). As explained in an earlier post, while we were waiting, the shed kit was stolen and we pursued solutions (including funding options).
The area was already identified in the Conservation Management Plan as unlikely to hold any archaeological significance, and this was confirmed during the excavation of the contaminated soil.
The site was inspected and certified as free from surface asbestos contamination and covered with high quality turf underlay soil and is now ready for our next steps towards healing and truth telling.
DSMG is grateful to Blacktown Council staff, Beasy Ltd and, of course, Dharug community for their support, patience and advice as we negotiated this difficult and stressful journey. We look forward to celebrating finally be able to sit in the space we've envisaged before the end of the year.
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