No asbestos contamination found in Ryde mulch

Published on 05 March 2024

A City of Ryde audit on mulch used in garden beds and playgrounds located at sporting fields, passive parks and natural areas within the Local Government Area has found no evidence of asbestos contamination.

The garden beds and playgrounds are mulched using Council made products from the Porters Creek Facility. Additionally, Council has conducted visual inspections to confirm there is no evidence of contaminated mulch at any of these locations.

A search of Council records further confirmed that no products associated with a supplier being investigated by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) have been procured or used on Council garden beds or playgrounds.

The Council audit was conducted as a result of a resolution at the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 13 February 2024.

The resolution followed the discovery of bonded asbestos in mulch at the Rozelle Parklands in January 2024. A subsequent city-wide investigation by the EPA identified a total of 758 negative and 54 positive test sites that include schools, hospitals, (two) councils and Transport for NSW sites.

At this stage, contamination of bonded asbestos in mulch has only been linked to one supplier and the EPA has issued the supplier with a formal notice to provide the EPA with information and records.

Additionally, that supplier was issued a Prevention Notice, which stops it from selling the product.

City of Ryde Mayor Clr Sarkis Yedelian OAM said the audit result was welcome news.

“City of Ryde residents who were concerned about the reports of mulch contamination around Sydney can now rest assured, knowing that Council’s wonderful gardens and playgrounds have been and continue to be safe spaces,” he said.