Remedial works underway following asbestos discovery

28 August 2014

The discovery of asbestos in a building used in a New Zealand Fire Service training exercise over the weekend has resulted in the area being cordoned off to ensure the safe removal of the substance.

Taupo District Council, Waikato Regional Council and the Medical Officer of Health have visited the Spa Road site in which a building was burnt to the ground.

The discovery of asbestos was not made until after the fire.

Taupo District Council consents and regulatory manager David Greaves said rumours that the council had approved' the burning of the building were incorrect.

There was no formal approval needed or given by Taupo District Council, he said.

The New Zealand Fire Service used this as an exercise, which is permitted activity under the Regional Plan. Prior to the house burn, the fire service had instructed and been advised that all asbestos had been removed, and they did all the preparation work, he said.

We were aware the exercise was taking place but only became involved once it was suspected asbestos was present. Had this not occurred, we would have had no involvement at all.

Following discovery of the asbestos, advice was sought from the Medical Officer of Health and residents in about 50 houses in the vicinity of the site were notified yesterday.

The Medical Officer of Health provided guidelines for the decontamination of any affected properties which was believed to be limited to one property in the immediate area, he said.

The contractor in charge secured the site on Monday after it was suspected asbestos was present. Testing was undertaken and a positive result was received on Tuesday. The site had already been secured at this point.

Mr Greaves said the amount of asbestos in the building was believed to be minor.

Indications are it had been used in sofits and a portion of cladding on one small building. Any loose building materials have been secured and the site was been wet down to prevent the asbestos from becoming airborne.

Fires involving asbestos containing materials generally present minimal risk to the general public. However, the remains of the building and the site must be professionally cleared so members of the public are advised to stay away from the site. Anyone who finds any building material they think may have come from the site should not touch it or move it.

The site will be scraped and all materials will be removed by a specialist contractor, Mr Greaves said.

For any further health related advice concerning the fire please contact either Shane Hancock, Environmental Health Officer, Taupo District Council on 07 376 0899 or Annaka Davis, Health Protection Officer, Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service on 021 473 716.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council

www.taupo.govt.nz