ASBESTOS ROOF REPLACEMENT PROGRAM COMPLETE IN GREATER BRISBANE
Published Thursday, 11 October, 2007 at 02:54 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The State Government’s Asbestos Roof Replacement Program for Queensland state schools, including the Greater Brisbane region, has finished seven and a half years ahead of the original timeline for completion.
Premier Anna Bligh today announced that 338 roofs had been replaced under the program in the Greater Brisbane education district.
“Around the state a total of 919 roofs have been removed and replaced safely and with no environmental incidents,” the Premier Anna Bligh said.
“The contractors employed to do this job have worked weekends and school holidays to remove asbestos roofs from our schools.
“Their commitment has helped us to get these roofs replaced years ahead of time.
“This project has been an outstanding success, making our schools and communities safer.
"A combination of skilled worker availability and fine weather made it possible for the program to be completed in record time, and with an excellent safety record.
“In the first 12 months 363 roofs were replaced and 496 in the second 12 months, with the remainder completed recently.
“I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who has helped coordinate this project including Education Queensland staff and school principals, as well as employees from the Department of Public Works,” she said.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the health and well-being of students and staff in Queensland schools remained a priority.
“Our Government is the first in the state’s history to comprehensively address this issue and provide sufficient funding to replace asbestos roofs in Queensland state schools,” Mr Welford said.
“We are also undertaking the replacement or repair of floor coverings containing asbestos wherever necessary.
“One hundred and forty two replacement projects were completed across 81 schools in 2006–07 and six replacement projects have been completed so far in 2007-08.”
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said it was a credit to everyone involved that all roofs that were planned for removal under the program have been replaced so far ahead of time.
“I extend my most sincere thanks to the officers from my own department who managed the project and also to the contractors and suppliers who worked so tirelessly to complete this very challenging task,” he said.
“All asbestos product removal work was undertaken on weekends or at times when staff and students are not present.”
Thursday October 11, 2007
Media contact: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister Welford’s Office – 3237 1000
Minister Schwarten’s Office – 3237 1832
Premier Anna Bligh today announced that 338 roofs had been replaced under the program in the Greater Brisbane education district.
“Around the state a total of 919 roofs have been removed and replaced safely and with no environmental incidents,” the Premier Anna Bligh said.
“The contractors employed to do this job have worked weekends and school holidays to remove asbestos roofs from our schools.
“Their commitment has helped us to get these roofs replaced years ahead of time.
“This project has been an outstanding success, making our schools and communities safer.
"A combination of skilled worker availability and fine weather made it possible for the program to be completed in record time, and with an excellent safety record.
“In the first 12 months 363 roofs were replaced and 496 in the second 12 months, with the remainder completed recently.
“I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who has helped coordinate this project including Education Queensland staff and school principals, as well as employees from the Department of Public Works,” she said.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the health and well-being of students and staff in Queensland schools remained a priority.
“Our Government is the first in the state’s history to comprehensively address this issue and provide sufficient funding to replace asbestos roofs in Queensland state schools,” Mr Welford said.
“We are also undertaking the replacement or repair of floor coverings containing asbestos wherever necessary.
“One hundred and forty two replacement projects were completed across 81 schools in 2006–07 and six replacement projects have been completed so far in 2007-08.”
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said it was a credit to everyone involved that all roofs that were planned for removal under the program have been replaced so far ahead of time.
“I extend my most sincere thanks to the officers from my own department who managed the project and also to the contractors and suppliers who worked so tirelessly to complete this very challenging task,” he said.
“All asbestos product removal work was undertaken on weekends or at times when staff and students are not present.”
Thursday October 11, 2007
Media contact: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister Welford’s Office – 3237 1000
Minister Schwarten’s Office – 3237 1832