Main Roads advises that it has implemented asbestos management measures on a project stockpile site, following the discovery of suspected asbestos containing material.

All work on the construction site has ceased until it is determined safe for workers to return.

A portion of the project is located above the old Hertha Road landfill site in Stirling and samples of the material were gathered last week for testing.

While the risk to the community is currently considered low a range of measures to mitigate any risk has been put in place. This includes:

• The stockpile site is now an exclusion zone and all work on the construction site has ceased until it is confirmed that it is safe to recommence.
• Application of dust suppression polymer over the stockpile site
• Installing asbestos and dust monitoring equipment across the site
• Appointing an accredited contaminated sites auditor and other contamination experts to help in the management of the site. An industrial hygiene expert has also been engaged.

If contaminated material is confirmed, it will be taken off site by licenced and approved waste management contractors and disposed of safely.

Main Roads is working closely with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), Department of Health and WorkSafe in the control and management of stockpiles.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.