Stephenson Avenue Extension project - asbestos management

Stephenson Avenue Extension project - asbestos management
17 June 2024

Asbestos management measures will be implemented at the worksite.

On Friday 14 June, Main Roads announced it would be implementing asbestos management measures on the Stephenson Avenue Extension Stage 2 construction site following the discovery of suspected asbestos within stockpiles of spoil material.

Main Roads has advised that at this stage, the risk to the community is low but as a precaution, construction on the project has ceased until it is considered safe for workers to return following additional testing.

Main Roads and its project partners are putting in place a range of measures to mitigate risk, including:

  • application of dust suppression polymer over the impacted areas.
  • air monitoring equipment installed across the site.
  • the appointment of 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.

The City of Stirling fully supports the decision to cease works on the project as the safety and wellbeing of the community is our primary concern.

The City understands suspected asbestos may have come from a sample taken from the old Hertha Road landfill site. While it is not uncommon for asbestos to be uncovered in old landfill sites, the site is closed until further testing has been conducted and it is deemed safe.

Main Roads has advised it is working closely with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), WorkSafe and the Department of Health in the control and management of the stockpiles. Any spoil confirmed as contaminated will be managed safely in line with legislative requirements.

The Stephenson Avenue Extension project is an important project that will provide a new connection from Cedric Street to Scarborough Beach Road, including a new grade-separated Mitchell Freeway interchange with a southbound Smart Freeway on-ramp, as well as new local road links to Ellen Stirling Boulevard. All aspects of construction, including the decision to halt works due to the discovery of asbestos, are the responsibility of Main Roads and its contractors.

For more information about this matter, please visit Main Roads’ Stephenson Avenue Extension project page, which includes FAQs.

If you have any concerns and would like to speak with someone directly, please contact Main Roads at 138 138 or enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au

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