A Sydney mayor has threatened toll road operator Transurban with legal action after blue-green algae was found in Rozelle Parklands, months after a statewide asbestos scare was sparked by the hazardous material’s discovery at the park.
Transport for New South Wales (NSW) on April 26 said it would re-open most of the parklands on April 30 after the final removal of asbestos from the site, which was closed in January after the discovery of bonded asbestos in mulch.
The discovery prompted the closure of schools, hospitals, and other parks as part of the Environmental Protection Authority’s largest probe since it was set up in 1991.
While most of Rozelle Parklands would open to the public, its wetlands, managed by Transurban, would remain fenced off because of the discovery of blue-green algae, Transport for NSW said.
“While the wetlands are not for swimming or recreational use, as a precaution, temporary fencing will remain in place around the affected area and signage will be erected, to ensure everyone’s safety,” it said in a statement.
Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne said locals were fed up after problems with the Rozelle Interchange, asbestos contamination and now an algae bloom.
“Transurban have questions to answer, they’ve had responsibility—care, control, and management of these wetlands—for six months now and we want to know what their testing regime has been,” Mr. Byrne told reporters at the park.
“We’re writing to Transurban today to insist that they provide immediate responses about how this will be fixed, what they have done to protect public safety up to now and we’re giving them a deadline of April 29 before we take legal action of our own.
“We want the CEO of Transurban to come down and meet with our community immediately to discuss how this is going to be treated and the park made safe.”
Transurban said testing of the wetlands detected algae earlier this month and the company pointed to investigations by Transport for NSW into the issue.
“Irrespective of whose problem it is, we are focused on helping fix the issue and keeping the area and community safe,” a Transurban spokesperson said.
Greens MP for Balmain Kobi Shetty said the community had a right to know how the algae bloom broke out at the park amid safety concerns from locals.
“This latest setback highlights a troubling pattern of neglect towards our community’s needs from Transurban,” Ms. Shetty said.
Blue-green algae can cause health problems for people and domestic animals that come into contact with it including skin irritations, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and cramps.
In March, the state government pledged to double penalties for environmental crimes in NSW in the wake of the asbestos contamination.
