TRANSCRIPT
With school out in the western suburbs of Sydney, it's brought some students out to play.
“There's signs of asbestos at our school, and the school is closed for today so I'm just over here playing soccer with the boys."
In what would normally be a busy school day at Marsden Park, the grounds are free of staff and students.
Environment Protection Authority officials have been on site to test the area for asbestos contamination.
The EPA's Chief Executive Officer, Tony Chappel, says the investigation is proceeding as fast as possible.
"Under environmental law in New South Wales, when a court process commences that essentially ends the investigatory powers of the agency, so we need to complete a thorough, rigorous investigation as quickly as possible and we are working very hard to deliver that."
St Luke’s Catholic College in Marsden Park is one of seven schools around Sydney that are now under investigation.
They are all linked to an asbestos contaminated mulch that has been laid at locations around the city.
The crisis is so severe that 698 students from Liverpool West Public school, are set to work from a neighbouring school until it's cleaned up.
But the message is now clear that recycled mulch is no longer permitted.
At school drop off at the International Grammar School, parents had mixed opinions about the new asbestos warning.
"I don't really have too huge concerns at the moment but certainly will have to monitor it and leave it to persons in charge really."
I've come to understand that asbestos is everywhere, there's probably asbestos in the back of our house, and I don't think anyone has become sick from it, so I'm pretty confident the school will deal with it appropriately.
I was worried, but until they find something, you keep going and you keep on.. live your life I guess."
The Environmental Protection Authority says the common link between all the asbestos sites is a mulch supplier named Greenlife Resource Recovery.
The company issued a statement today refuting the EPA's claim, saying independent testing has found no trace of asbestos in its mulch.
Greenlife is also going to the Land and Environment Court to challenge an EPA order preventing them from selling the mulch.
