Stop demolition of Altona West primary school during school term

Dear Minister,

We, as parents and carers of Altona P – 9 College, and concerned citizens request that all demolition planned for the old Altona West primary school is done outside school term.

We believe that demolition conducted during the school term poses an unacceptable health risk to school students (and teachers) and disruption to their education.

We are not prepared to accept any level of risk to the current and future health of our children, and believe that, given the age and structure of the buildings in question, that there are no circumstances that will permit demolition to be safely undertaken with the children located in playgrounds and buildings in such close proximity.

The following is an extract from the 'Clearance Certificate – Asbestos Removal Project' provided by the School Principal:
Visual inspections were carried out by EnviroProtect Pty. Ltd for each removal zone and we confirm that the visible asbestos residue resulting from the removal process has been removed as far practicable to a satisfactory standard.
However, asbestos mastic to the base of the brick walls still remains in situ as it is covered within soil and will be removed at a later date.
EnviroProtect Pty Ltd recommends that once access can be made to sub floor areas and when buildings have been demolished and building materials and rubble have been removed a final visual inspection shall be required to be conducted on the ground existing surface.

Note: Based on information from DEECD the following hazardous building materials found in old school buildings include asbestos; PolyChlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Synthetic Mineral Fibres (SMFs) and lead-based paint. They are hazardous to the health of people. For example, the inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause respiratory diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Latency periods of up to 40 years are not uncommon for these diseases.

This petition demands any further demolition ONLY to be done outside school term and using best industry practice inline with Demolition (Code of Practice No. 14, 1991), DEECD 6.14 Risk management, Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007.