Shire of Harvey releases asbestos report for Harvey RSL Hall amid community concerns

A report has been released into the state of asbestos at the Harvey RSL Hall after claims were made about the safety of the building. Shire of Harvey councillors voted at a meeting on September 20 to release an asbestos material survey conducted by environmental consultancy firm Site Environmental & Remediation Services earlier this year. Moving to have the report released, Deputy Shire president Michelle Campbell said issues surrounding asbestos at the RSL Hall had come to light during the Harvey Community Precinct consolation process. “As a result, I thought it prudent that the report conducted by SERS be made public in order to allay any concerns and for council to determine if any further action be required,” she said. Cr Campbell also successfully requested chief executive Annie Riordan provide a report to the council by the December meeting and annually thereafter on the status of the Shire’s asbestos removal program. She said the council had a duty of care to ensure all buildings that were occupied by staff or community members were safe. “This (motion) will allow council to be kept fully up to date on this sensitive issue on the progress of addressing the asbestos issues within the Shire and to ensure that there is adequate resourcing in the budget to address the issues,” Cr Campbell said. Testing conducted by SERS on the hall in July found there were materials containing asbestos in the external wall cladding. Asbestos materials were also found in the ceiling panels, internal walls and the eastern wall skirting in the storeroom on the north-west side of the building. However, all materials were found to be in either “fair” or “good’” condition, with a “low” potential for disturbance. The gable end on top of the building was unable to be accessed by SERS, but was presumed to contain asbestos by the consultants. The Harvey RSL building was alleged to have contained dangerous amounts of asbestos during last month’s council meeting, when the Shire of Harvey approved plans for the proposed Harvey Community Precinct. The venue is set to be preserved as part of the plans.