Parents say they considering pulling their children out of a school in Brisbane after a nearby construction site uncovered asbestos.
The discovery was made during excavation works at the site set to become the new retail and commercial hub Boggo Road Village.
Less than 100 metres away is the Dutton Park State School.
READ MORE: Man fined $5000 for speargun killing of dingo on K’gari
Parents and guardians were advised of the asbestos last week and told it will be removed from the site from this week.
“We haven’t been given any information about how it will be done, where it will be done or any other information to satisfy parents concerns about their children at school,” one parent, Jean Bursle, said.
“A number of parents are very concerned. Some parents are so concerned they’re thinking of taking their children out of school.”
Elisabeth Khera has already taken her son out of school.
“He hates it. He’d prefer to be at school and I think it’s ridiculous to put parents in a situation where they have to choose,” she said.
Parents and guardians have told 9News they were only given a few days notice after asbestos was found at the site before works started and said they’re frustrated about being left in the dark about what happens next.
READ MORE: Big W pulls ‘hurtful’ Halloween costume from shelves, apologises
“We were offered a meeting but that was retracted so we haven’t had any opportunities to understand what’s proposed and the potential impacts on children,” Bursle said.
Queensland’s Department of Education said the works are being conducted by a licensed asbestos removalist and they advised necessary controls are in place to minimise risk to surrounding premises.
The department added that it’s working with the removalist to ensure that the works comply with health and safety legislation.
But parents are calling for more information to ensure their kids are protected.
“There’s no face masks for them, they’re 100 metres away from all the workers who are kitted up but they just have to turn up and suck it up,” Khera said.
links to content on ABC
9News
