The Department of Education has a rigorous system of maintenance and monitoring at all schools across the State.

The Department has a panel of contractors that specialise in asbestos materials including carrying out necessary investigations and overseeing and reporting on remedial works.

When the presence of asbestos is reported, immediate action is taken by the Department to protect public health, including isolating the area and engaging a licensed contractor to remediate the site in line with NSW Work Health and Safety legislation.

In the majority of cases, asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are typically bonded products that do not readily release fibres (non-friable) and are considered safe if left undisturbed. Any known friable ACM, which can readily release fibres, is immediately removed.

Members of the community with concerns regarding the presence of asbestos in schools can visit the Asbestos Register section on the School Infrastructure NSW website at https://www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/about-us/workingwithus/schoolsasbestos-register html.

The Department is not currently aware of any immediate risk from asbestos containing materials at any school in the Wallsend electorate, and no work is currently scheduled for removal of asbestos containing materials.