Schools, preschools closed over asbestos sand in Canberra
More than 10 schools in Canberra have been urgently closed after decorative sand was found by the consumer watchdog to contain traces of asbestos.
As schools opened on Friday, 15 public schools across the city were completely closed and five more were partially closed.
At least three kindergartens were also closed.
The ACT government said the closures were due to advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that Kadink Decorative Sand contained traces of chrysotile asbestos.
Colored sand is used for arts and crafts as well as sensory play in some schools in the ACT.
“Whilst WorkSafe ACT has found that the risk of exposure to chrysotile residues is low, the safety of our schools is our top priority,” the ACT government said in a statement.
“The decision to close schools was taken in line with Directorate for Education processes and WorkSafe ACT recommendations regarding the required safe management and recovery process.”
The closures will allow affected areas and year levels to be tested and “remediation to occur as quickly as possible.”
Emails were sent to parents of children at affected schools.
The affected schools are:
Closing of All Schools
- Black Mountain School
- Campbell Elementary School
- Charles Weston School
- Charnwood-Dunlop Primary School
- Evat Primary School
- Florey Elementary School
- Latham Elementary School
- Lyons Early Childhood School
- Malkara School
- Namadgi School
- Chapman Elementary School
- Cranleigh School
- Miles Franklin Elementary School
- Fraser Elementary School
- Wanniassa Hills Primary School
Partial School Closings
- Charles Conder Elementary School – Preschool and Small Group Program
- North Ainslie Primary School – Pre-school and Grade 1
- Torrens Elementary School – Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st Grade
- Wanniassa School – Kindergarten through 6th grade
- Yarralumla Primary School – Montessori, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Small Group Program
Preschool Closings
- Curtin Primary School – Kindergarten
- Kingsford Smith School – Kindergarten including Koori Kindergarten
- Narrabundah Early Childhood School – Preschool
