Asbestos contaminated mulch in parks and garden beds
Parks
Testing is complete at all identified parks in our local area.
Clean-up is complete and these sites have reopened:
- Pirrama Park, Pyrmont (friable asbestos removed)
- The section of Bicenntennial Park between Glebe Point Road and Johnstons Creek, Glebe (friable and bonded asbestos removed)
- Harmony Park, Surry Hills (friable and bonded asbestos removed)
Clean-up is also complete at Wood Street Lands, Forest Lodge (friable asbestos removed).
Clean-up is under way at several sites:
- Bicentennial Park between Chapman Road and Johnstons Creek, Annandale
- Jubilee Park, Glebe
- Wentworth Park, Glebe
- North Rosebery Park, Rosebery
Garden beds
Garden beds identified for assessment are taped off and signposted. Assessment of these sites is under way.
- On Friday 12 April, no asbestos was found at identified sites in Haymarket.
- On Friday 5 April, no asbestos was found at identified sites in Ultimo and Surry Hills.
- On Thursday 4 April, no asbestos was found at identified sites in Ultimo.
- On Wednesday 3 April, no asbestos was found at identified sites in Glebe.
- On Thursday 28 March, no asbestos was found at identified sites in Chippendale.
- On Tuesday 19 March, no asbestos was found at identified sites in Surry Hills.
We’re updating this page regularly to keep you informed.
Testing is complete at identified parks in our area.
The remaining garden beds identified for testing are taped off and signposted.
We’ve got barriers and signs up at parks where asbestos has been detected to stop people from entering affected areas.
Clean-up is under way at several sites and will continue progressively over several months.
Licensed asbestos removalists are required for the clean-up. We’re following work, health and safety regulations and SafeWork NSW guidelines.
Remediation includes the preparation and independent approval of a removal plan, sampling to determine disposal options for the mulch, removal of contaminated mulch and testing of soil. Once the site has been cleared, fresh mulch is laid and barriers and fencing removed.
We appreciate your patience as we work through the extensive clean-up process.
Where has asbestos been found?
We’re updating this information with results from the testing sites listed on this page.
We’ve got fences and signs up at the parks where asbestos has been detected to stop people from entering affected areas.
Clean-up is complete and these sites have reopened:
- Pirrama Park, Pyrmont (friable asbestos removed)
- Harmony Park, Surry Hills (friable and bonded asbestos removed)
- Bicentennial Park, between Glebe Point Road and Johnstons Creek, Glebe (friable and bonded asbestos removed)
Clean-up is also complete at Wood Street Lands, Forest Lodge (friable asbestos removed).
Clean-up is under way at several sites:
- Bicentennial Park between Chapman Road and Johnstons Creek, Annandale
- Jubilee Park, Glebe
- Wentworth Park, Glebe
- Pirrama Park, Pyrmont
- North Rosebery Park, Rosebery
Bonded asbestos has been found in mulch at these parks where we’ve fenced or taped affected areas and installed signs:
- Bicentennial Park (between Chapman Road and Johnstons Creek), Annandale
- Victoria Park, Camperdown
- Harold Park, Forest Lodge
- Minogue Crescent Reserve, Forest Lodge
- Blackwattle Bay Park, Glebe
- John Street Reserve, Glebe
- Jubilee Park, Glebe
- Minogue Reserve, Glebe
- Robyn Kemmis Reserve, Glebe
- St James Park, Glebe
- Stewart Street Glebe Reserve, Glebe
- Wentworth Park, Glebe
- Belmore Park, Haymarket
- Munn Reserve, Millers Point
- Observatory Hill Park, Millers Point
- Giba Park, Prymont
- North Rosebery Park, Rosebery
- Cook + Philip Park, Sydney
How did this issue come about?
On Thursday 8 February, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) advised us that our mulch suppliers may have received supplies of contaminated recycled mulch.
We immediately began testing 5 sites that were identified as possibly contaminated.
Our immediate tests confirmed asbestos in 3 of our parks on Monday 12 February.
The EPA’s initial phase of supply chains tracing is complete, while its criminal investigation continues.
We have now tested all identified parks in our local area.
Friday 16 February
- We’ve identified more sites for testing in Camperdown, Chippendale, Glebe, Pyrmont, Rosebery, Surry Hills, Millers Point and Ultimo.
Monday 19 February
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Friable and bonded asbestos has been detected at Bicentennial Park (between Glebe Point Road and Johnstons Creek) in Glebe.
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Bonded asbestos has been detected at North Rosebery Park in Rosebery.
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Mary Ann Street Park and Fig Lane Park in Ultimo have been identified as areas for testing.
Wednesday 21 February
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Bicentennial Park (between Chapman Road and Johnstons Creek) in Annandale.
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Observatory Hill Park in Millers Point.
- Bonded asbestos has been detected in Jubilee Park in Glebe.
- No asbestos has been found at identified sites in Surry Hills, Millers Point and Ultimo.
Thursday 22 February
- Friable asbestos has been detected at Wood Street Lands in Forest Lodge.
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Harold Park in Forest Lodge.
- Bonded asbestos has been detected in Wentworth Park in Glebe.
- No asbestos has been found at identified sites in Chippendale.
Friday 23 February 2024
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Robyn Kemmis Reserve in Glebe.
- No asbestos has been found at an identified site in Chippendale.
Monday 26 February 2024
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Giba Park in Pyrmont.
Tuesday 27 February 2024
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at St James Park in Glebe.
- Friable asbestos has been detected at Pirrama Park in Pyrmont.
- No asbestos has been found at an identified site in Chippendale.
Wednesday 28 February 2024
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Cook + Philip Park, Sydney
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Minogue Reserve, Glebe
- No asbestos has been found at sites in Glebe, Forest Lodge, Pyrmont and Dawes Point.
Thursday 29 February 2024
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Blackwattle Bay Park, Glebe.
- No asbestos has been found at sites in Forest Lodge.
Friday 1 March 2024
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at John Street Reserve, Glebe.
- No asbestos has been found at sites in Forest Lodge and Camperdown.
Monday 4 March 2024
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Stewart Street Glebe Reserve, Glebe.
Wednesday 6 March 2024
- No asbestos has been found at Creek Street Reserve, Forest Lodge.
- No asbestos has been found at sites in Glebe.
Monday 11 March 2024
- Bonded asbestos has been detected at Minogue Crescent Reserve, Forest Lodge.
- No asbestos has been found at sites in Chippendale and Ultimo.
Areas we’re testing and latest results
We’re updating this information as more results from the testing sites listed become available and once clean-up is completed.
Asbestos found
- Bicentennial Park between Chapman Road and Johnstons Creek (bonded asbestos)
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Chapman Road (southern side of the road) from The Crescent to end of Chapman Road cul-de-sac
- The Crescent (eastern side of the road) from Johnstons Creek Canal to Scotsman Street
- The Crescent roundabout garden at corner of The Crescent and Nelson Street
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Towns Place roundabout garden at corner of Towns Place and Dalgety Road
Asbestos found
- Victoria Park (bonded asbestos)
No asbestos found
- Larkin Street Park
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Alexandria Drive (both sides of the road) between Sterling Circuit and Lyons Road
- Barr Street (both sides of the road) between Pyrmont Bridge Road and Parramatta Road
- Booth Street (eastern side of the road) on road bridge over Johnstons Creek Canal
- City Road (eastern side of the road) at the corner of City Road and Myrtle Street
- Pyrmont Bridge Road (southern side of the road) at the corner of Pyrmont Bridge Road and Layton Street
No asbestos found
- Beaumont Street (both sides of the road) between Myrtle Street and Dangar Place
- Chippendale Green
- Shepherd Street (both sides of the road) between Knox Street and Broadway
- Smithers Street Pocket Park
Garden beds:
- Chippen Street (western side of the road) at the corner of Chippen Street and Meagher Street
- Meagher Street (both sides of the road) between McAlister Lane and Balfour Street
- Meagher Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Meagher Street and Balfour Street
- Meagher Street (both sides of the road) between Balfour Street and Dale Avenue
- Meagher Street (both sides of the road) between Chippen Street and Chippen Lane
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Abercrombie Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Abercrombie Street and Meagher Street
- Abercrombie Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Abercrombie Street and Bartley Street
- Abercrombie Street (eastern side of the road) between Irving Street and Broadway
- Abercrombie Street (eastern side of the road) between O'Connor Street and Irving Street
- Abercrombie Street (both sides of the road) between Little Queen Street and Dick Street
- Abercrombie Street (eastern side of the road) between Teggs Lane and Little Queen Street
- Abercrombie Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Abercrombie Street and Cleveland Street
- Balfour Street (western side of the road) at the corner of Balfour Street and Wellington Street
- Chippen Street (western side of the road) at the corner of Chippen Street and Meagher Street
- Dangar Place (northern side of the road) at the corner of Dangar Place and Wiley Street
- Dangar Place (southern side of the road) between Wiley Street and Abercrombie Street
- Lee Street (both sides of the road) between Regent Street and Little Regent Street
- Meagher Street (both sides of the road) between Mcalister Lane and Balfour Street
- Meagher Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Meagher Street and Balfour Street
- Meagher Street (both sides of the road) between Balfour Street and Dale Avenue
- Meagher Street (both sides of the road) between Chippen Street and Chippen Lane
- Rose Street (both sides of the road) between Myrtle Street and Paints Lane
- Shepherd Street (both sides of the road) between Knox Street and Broadway
No asbestos found
- Pottinger Park West
Asbestos found
- Harold Park (bonded asbestos)
- Minogue Crescent Reserve (bonded asbestos)
- Wood Street Lands (friable asbestos)
No asbestos found
- Arcadia Park
- AV Henry Reserve
- Creek Street Reserve
- Orphan School Creek
- Toxteth Park
- Wood Street Playground (This site name also takes in the surrounding open park area at this location. The recycled mulch product we’re testing is only used in garden beds and under trees, not in playgrounds.)
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Cullen Close (both sides of the road) from Ross Street to end of Cullen Close cul-de-sac
Asbestos found
- Bicentennial Park between Glebe Point Road and Johnstons Creek (friable and bonded asbestos)
- Blackwattle Bay Park (bonded asbestos)
- John Street Reserve (bonded asbestos)
- Jubilee Park (bonded asbestos)
- Minogue Reserve (bonded asbestos)
- Robyn Kemmis Reserve (bonded asbestos)
- St James Park (bonded asbestos)
- Stewart Street Glebe Reserve (bonded asbestos)
- Wentworth Park (bonded asbestos)
No asbestos found
- Dr HJ Foley Rest Park
- Elsie Walk (northern side of the road) between Derwent Street and Derwent Lane
- Pope Paul VI Reserve
- Quarry Street streetscape and steps
- Seamer Street Reserve
- St Johns Road (southern side of the road) between Glebe Point Road and Campbell Street
- St Johns Road (southern side of the road) between Campbell Street and Glebe Street
- Woolley Street (eastern side of the road) between Hereford Street and St James Lane
- Woolley Street (both sides of the road) at the pedestrian crossing adjacent to St James Park
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Alexandra Road (western side of the road) at the corner of Alexandra Road and Eglinton Road
- Arcadia Road (both sides of the road) between Avenue Road and Maxwell Road
- Arcadia Road (middle of the road) between Avenue Road and Maxwell Road
- Catherine Street (southern side of the road) at the corner of Catherine Street and Derwent Street
- Catherine Street (northern side of the road) at intersection with Westmoreland Street
- Cowper Street (both sides of the road) at intersection with Glebe Street and Franklyn Street
- Derby Place (both sides of the road) between Glebe Point Road and Derwent Lane
- Eglinton Road (both sides of the road) between Glebe Point Road and Northcote Road
- Elger Street (northern side of the road) between Cowper Street and Bay Street
- Derwent Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Derwent Street and Arundel Street
- Glebe Point Road (eastern side of the road) running 60 meters north from Mary Street
- Glebe Point Road (western side of the road) at the corner of Glebe Point Road and Boyce Street
- Glebe Point Road (western side of the road) between Toxteth Road and Boyce Street
- Glebe Point Road (western side of the road) at the corner of Glebe Point Road and Toxteth Road
- Glebe Point Road (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Glebe Point Road and Palmerston Avenue
- Glebe Point Road (western side of the road) at the corner of Glebe Point Road and Hereford Street
- Hereford Street (northern side of the road) at the corner of Hereford Street and Woolley Street
- Hereford Street (northern side of the road) at the corner of Hereford Street and St James Avenue
- Hereford Street (northern side of the road) at the corner of Hereford Street and Glebe Point Road
- Lower Avon Street (eastern side of the road) at the end of the Lower Avon Street cul-de-sac
- Lyndhurst Street Steps at the eastern end of Lyndhurst Street leading down to Bellevue Lane
- Unnamed Lane (western side of the road) between Mitchell Street East and Cowper Lane
- Northcote Road (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Northcote Road and Eglinton Road
- Palmerston Avenue (southern side of the road) at the corner of Palmerston Avenue and Glebe Point Road
- Toxteth Road (southern side of the road) from Maxwell Road to end of Toxteth Road cul-de-sac
- Toxteth Road (both sides of the road) between Bell Street and Maxwell Road
- Toxteth Road (northern side of the road) between Avenue Road and Bell Street
- Toxteth Road (both sides of the road) between Allen Street and Mansfield Street
- Victoria Road (northern side of the road) between Alexandra Road and Edward Lane
- Victoria Road (northern side of the road) between Edward Lane and Edward Street
- Wentworth Park Road (both sides of the road) between Pyrmont Bridge Road and Cardigan Street
- Wentworth Park Road (eastern side of the road) between Mitchell lane East and Mitchell Street
- Wentworth Park Road (both sides of the road) between Bay Street and Cowper Street
- Wigram Lane (southern side of the road) between Arthur (Paddy) Gray Reserve and Ross Street
Asbestos found
- Belmore Park (bonded asbestos)
No asbestos found
Garden beds
- Elizabeth Street (western side of the road) between Eddy Avenue and Foster Street
Asbestos found
- Munn Reserve (bonded asbestos)
- Observatory Hill Park (bonded asbestos)
No asbestos found
- Clyne Reserve
- High Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of High Street and Argyle Lane
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- High Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of High Street and Argyle Lane
- Kent Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Kent Street and High Street
- Kent Street (both sides of the road) running north from the tennis court to Argyle Street
- Lower Fort Street (northern side of the road) between Windmill Street and Downshire Place
- Lower Fort Street (northern side of the road) between Downshire Place and Cumberland Street
- Lower Fort Street (both sides of the road) between Argyle Place and Windmill Street
Asbestos found
- Giba Park (bonded asbestos)
No asbestos found
- James Watkinson Reserve
- Paradise Reserve
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Allen Street (northern side of the road) between Ada Place and Bulwara Road
- Bank Street (western side of the road) opposite the corner of Bank Street and Miller Street
- Bowman Street (southern side of the road) between Tambua Street and Jones Street
- Experiment Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Experiment Street and Bunn Lane
- Harris Street (western side of the road) at the corner of Harris Street and Union Street
- Jones Bay Road (both sides of the road) at the pedestrian crossing
- Harris Street (eastern side of the road) at corner of Pirrama Road
- Pirrama Road roundabout garden at intersection of Jones Bay Road and Darling Island Road
- Pirrama Road (southern side of the road) at the corner of Pirrama Road and Harris Street
- Pirrama Road (both sides of the road) between Pirrama Park and the Herbert Street cliff face
- Point Street (western side of the road) between Herbert Street and Bowman Street
- Pyrmont Street (western side of the road) at the corner of Union Street
- Refinery Drive (both sides of the road) between Bowman Street and Mount Street
- Saunders Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Saunders Street and Quarry Master Drive
- Saunders Street (northern side of the road) at the corner of Saunders Street and Quarry Master Drive
- Saunders Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Saunders Street and Miller Street
- Saunders Street (eastern side of the road) 35 metres north of the corner of Saunders Street and Miller Street
- Union Street (both sides of the road) between Edward Street and Pyrmont Bridge Road
No asbestos found
Parks
- Frog Hollow Reserve
- Prince Alfred Park
Garden beds
- Ibero American Plaza located north of Central railway station Chalmers Street entrance, near the corner of Chalmers Street and Randle Street
- Commonwealth Street (both sides of the road) between Little Albion Street and Albion Street
- Commonwealth Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Commonwealth Street and Albion Street
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Albion Street (southern side of road) at the corner of Albion Street and Belmore Street
- Albion Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Albion Street and Elizabeth Street
- Batman Lane (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Batman lane and Reservoir Street
- Bellevue Street (western side of the road) between Foveaux Street and Belmore Lane
- Campbell Street (northern side of the road) between Commonwealth Street and Beauchamp Lane
- Campbell Street (northern side of the road) at the corner of Campbell Street and Riley Street
- Campbell Street (northern side of the road) at the corner of Campbell Street and Lower Campbell Street
- Commonwealth Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Commonwealth Street and Brisbane Street
- Commonwealth Street (western side of the road) at the corner of Commonwealth Street and Hunt Street
- Commonwealth Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Commonwealth Street and Campbell Street
- Commonwealth Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Commonwealth Street and Brisbane Street
- Commonwealth Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Commonwealth Street and Hunt Street
- Cooper Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Cooper Street and Elizabeth Street
- Commonwealth Street (western side of the road) corner of Commonwealth Street and Campbell Street
- Devonshire Street (northern side of the road) at the corner of Devonshire Street and Elizabeth Street
- Devonshire Street (southern side of the street) between Elizabeth Street and Clisdell Street
- Elizabeth Street (western side of the road) at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Cooper Street
- Foster Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of the Foster Street and Campbell Street
- Foster Street (western side of the road) at the corner of the Foster Street and Campbell Street
- Foster Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Foster Street and Campbell Street
- Hunt Street (eastern side of the road) opposite the corner of Hunt Street and Foster Street
- Hunt Street (western side of the road) at the corner of Hunt Street and Foster Street
- Little Riley Street (western side of the road) at the corner of Little Riley Street and Campbell Street
- Little Riley Street (middle of the road) at the corner of Little Riley Street and Foveaux Street
- Mary Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Mary Street and Albion Street
- Pelican Street (both sides of the street) at the corner of Pelican Street and Goulburn Street
- Poplar Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Poplar Street and Pelican Street
- Reservoir Street (southern side of the road) between Commonwealth Street and Beauchamp lane
Asbestos found
- North Rosebery Park (bonded asbestos)
Asbestos found
- Cook + Phillip Park (bonded asbestos)
No asbestos found
Parks
- Fig Lane Park
- Mary Ann Street Park
Garden beds
- Jones Street (eastern side of the road) between Fig Street and Quarry Street
- Upper Fig Street (southern side of the road) between Bulwara Road and Harris Street
- Jones Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Jones Street and Quarry Street
- Mountain Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Mountain Street and Kelly Street
- Wattle Street (western side of the road) between Quarry Street and Fig Street
- Wattle & Broadway Rest Area at the intersection of Wattle Street and Broadway
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Jones Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Jones Street and Quarry Street
- Macarthur Street (both sides of the road) between Jones Street and the end of Macarthur Street cul-de-sac
- Mary Ann Street (both sides of the road) between Bulwara Road and Harris Street
- Mountain Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Mountain Street and Kelly Street
- Mountain Street (both sides of the road) at the corner of Mountain Street and Smail Street
Areas identified for testing
Garden beds
- Crown Street (eastern side of the road) at the corner of Crown Street and Sir John Young Crescent
- Sir John Young Crescent (both sides of the road) between Riley Street and Crown Street
More information on asbestos contaminated mulch in our parks
We respond to common questions about the asbestos contaminated mulch found in some parks in our local area.
Bonded asbestos is mixed with cement or resin which keeps fibres in place. It is also referred to as non-friable asbestos. Bonded asbestos poses a risk of releasing airborne fibres, if damaged.
Friable asbestos is easily crushed into a powder. Friable asbestos poses a higher risk than bonded asbestos of airborne fibres being released when handled.
Visit the NSW Health website for more information.
We understand you may be concerned if you or loved ones have spent time in an area where asbestos has been detected. Visit the NSW Health website for more information.
The EPA also has information online about their investigation.
We’ve fenced or taped off mulched areas and put up signs at affected sites.
Please avoid taped off mulched areas in parks and garden beds around your local area.
Do not touch it and avoid the area.
We regularly replace our mulch, but this has come up because of an issue recently identified with suppliers and the source of the mulch. This is why it’s difficult to determine exactly which batch of mulch was contaminated. The mulch may have been in place for several months.
We’re working as quickly as we can. We expect testing and clean up may take several months. As this is now a situation involving many sites across Sydney there may be delays in obtaining testing and remediation services.
We will continue to provide updates here.
We’re testing parks and garden beds where we identify that contaminated mulch may have been used.
We are not testing sites that have not been identified as being at risk of contamination, as advised by the EPA.
The affected areas are listed above.
We urge everyone to avoid taped or fenced off areas in parks and garden beds.
As this is now a situation involving many sites across greater Sydney there may be delays in obtaining remediation services.