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Beach safe to use as asbestos traces are removed

SMALL amounts of asbestos found this week at Bathers Beach are being removed and the whole beach is safe for the public to use.

Other traces of asbestos sheeting have been unearthed at Booyeembara Park. The City of Fremantle has taken immediate steps to fence off the small affected areas during the clean-up process.

City of Fremantle Chief Executive Officer Graeme Mackenzie said the public should not be alarmed as tests have been conducted which suggest there is no immediate health risk.

“The City has taken immediate action and will clean both the beach and park in accordance to Health Department guidelines,” he said.

The guidelines say that asbestos in these forms is not likely to release appreciable amounts of free asbestos fibre, which presents the main risk from asbestos through inhalation.

”Extensive testing over the coming weeks will take place at Booyeembara Park to ascertain the level of contamination and remediation required,” Mr Mackenzie added.

Once production ended at the former quarry site, the area was used for landfill at which time the asbestos was dumped. The area was rehabilitated into the national award–winning park that we know today.

Both Booyeembara Park and Bathers Beach are safe to use and will remain open to the public during the decontamination process.