ASBESTOS ROOF REPLACEMENT PROGRAM COMPLETE
Published Thursday, 11 October, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The Government’s Asbestos Roof Replacement Program for Queensland state schools has finished with some 40 hectares of roof replaced, seven and a half years ahead of the original time line for completion.
Premier Anna Bligh today announced that 919 roofs replaced under the program, had been removed safely and with no environmental incidents.
“The contractors employed to do this job have worked weekends and school holidays to remove asbestos roofs from our schools,” the Premier said.
“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, the remainder were completed recently.
“The final three roofs were replaced over the school holidays at Burnett State College and Wondai State School,” 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 is undertaken on weekends or at times when staff and students are not present.
The project was overseen by independent company, Parsons Brinkerhoff Consulting Hygienists. Their representatives went to all sites and stayed for the duration of the asbestos removal and decontamination process. The firm provided a range of air monitoring, analytical and advisory services on the management, removal, decontamination, handling and disposal of asbestos.
They also monitored and supervised workplace health and safety aspects associated with the safe removal and disposal of asbestos material.
In May 2005, a $120M replacement program was announced with a conservative forecast of a 10 year completion date.
At that time there was concern about a shortage of skilled asbestos removers and it was decided for student and school community safety that the replacements could occur only during school holidays.
Due to the hard-work and commitment of the Department of Public Works experienced contractors successfully completed a trial of removing the roofs on weekends to accelerate the program.
Following the announcement a detailed audit of the initial 1100 roofs identified as possibly needing replacement was completed. The number of roofs identified was subsequently reduced to 933 and then to 919 when some buildings were completely replaced.
All 919 roofs have now been replaced at a cost of $95.9M.
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 919 roofs replaced under the program, had been removed safely and with no environmental incidents.
“The contractors employed to do this job have worked weekends and school holidays to remove asbestos roofs from our schools,” the Premier said.
“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, the remainder were completed recently.
“The final three roofs were replaced over the school holidays at Burnett State College and Wondai State School,” 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 is undertaken on weekends or at times when staff and students are not present.
The project was overseen by independent company, Parsons Brinkerhoff Consulting Hygienists. Their representatives went to all sites and stayed for the duration of the asbestos removal and decontamination process. The firm provided a range of air monitoring, analytical and advisory services on the management, removal, decontamination, handling and disposal of asbestos.
They also monitored and supervised workplace health and safety aspects associated with the safe removal and disposal of asbestos material.
In May 2005, a $120M replacement program was announced with a conservative forecast of a 10 year completion date.
At that time there was concern about a shortage of skilled asbestos removers and it was decided for student and school community safety that the replacements could occur only during school holidays.
Due to the hard-work and commitment of the Department of Public Works experienced contractors successfully completed a trial of removing the roofs on weekends to accelerate the program.
Following the announcement a detailed audit of the initial 1100 roofs identified as possibly needing replacement was completed. The number of roofs identified was subsequently reduced to 933 and then to 919 when some buildings were completely replaced.
All 919 roofs have now been replaced at a cost of $95.9M.
Thursday October 11, 2007
Media contact: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister Welford’s Office – 3237 1000
Minister Schwarten’s Office – 3237 1832