Call for urgent action on contaminated fill pile at Springwood Golf Course

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill has joined with Council CEO, Dr Rosemary Dillon, in calling for urgent action on a pile of fill that contains Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) that is sitting in the open on the Springwood golf course.

Mayor Greenhill said: “The material isn’t even covered. When the State Government was investigating asbestos issues with the Council, teams of public servants descended on the Blue Mountains within hours of radio broadcasts in which allegations were made against the Council.

“In one instance where no asbestos was found, they sent samples off to Western Australia for further investigation, applying standards ten times the national standard in, it appeared to me, the hope they would find something.

“In another case, a government agency wanted to bring in excavators to a site, which had previously been assessed, in the apparent desire of finding some problem.

“Here we have this material sitting in the open, not even covered, and government agencies have known about it for six months.

“Our CEO has asked the relevant agency what is happening and I am glad they are in communication.

“However, I was horrified to be informed last night that this material is still sitting there uncovered. If there’s an investigation underway and the fill cannot be removed, then it should be covered. The barriers around the fill are inadequate and there are people playing golf around the fill.

“If the fill can be taken away, I want the Club to do it. Now.

“The EPA and the Club need to tell us what the plan is and what the EPA's requirements are.

“I am deeply concerned about safety. The Council is available to assist the Club to implement appropriate safety precautions. We are in a position to provide that assistance, and to provide advice, once we know the plans of the EPA and the Club.

"In my opinion, the Council's assistance is appropriate as the Council is the owner of the golf course although the course is occupied and managed by the Club. The golf course is an important community facility and the Council wishes to ensure that it continues to be available for public use and enjoyment.

“The Club has recently asked the Council for a significant loan to maintain facilities. We have said yes to this request. However, this matter relating to the contaminated fill needs to be addressed now.”

Council CEO Dr Rosemary Dillon said: “I share the Mayor’s concern and those of the Ward 3 Councillors.

“We will be calling on the Club, in consultation with the EPA, to immediately secure the part of the site on which the fill is located and provide us with a timeline for the removal of the fill. Once we have this information, my team and I will monitor performance and we will keep the Council informed.”

Photo: Blue Mountains City Council CEO Rosemary Dillon, Councillor Shae Foenander, Mayor Mark Greenhill, Councillor Daniel Myles and Councillor Mick Fell.