Nine News last week reported that 340 Australian schools, including Batemans Bay High School, were “hiding a potentially toxic secret: asbestos buried underneath sports fields and playgrounds”.

The report cites a Department of Education register which supposedly shows that 16 Sydney schools were directed to have frequent or monthly checks to identify asbestos coming to the surface and another 73 were urged to check playgrounds every three months or after bad weather.

A department spokeswoman said the publicly-available register was maintained so the community could have full confidence in the Department’s commitment to keeping schools safe.

She said schools would appear on the Department’s register if it was detected, or that there was a possibility, that asbestos material existed on school grounds.

“The Department’s asbestos register provides information about the location and management of asbestos-containing materials,” she said.

“Each school has its own individual asbestos management plan detailing the location of asbestos in the school or school grounds and way in which it is to be managed and when inspections should be carried out.”

The spokeswoman said regular inspections were carried out to ensure there was no change to the condition of asbestos materials on school grounds.

“The majority of materials containing asbestos are safe provided the material is left undisturbed and is in sound condition,” the spokeswoman said.

 “The Department acts immediately, in accordance with NSW and national Work Health and Safety legislation, whenever asbestos is detected on school grounds.

 “All remediation work is assessed to make sure it complies with WorkCover’s safety requirements.”

DESPITE a Nine News report stating that Batemans Bay High School is at high risk of asbestos contamination, more asbestos has been detected at Moruya schools.

The NSW Department of Education schools asbestos register shows Chrysotile white asbestos was detected in floor tiles in several areas throughout Moruya High School, some having minimal damage” but all deemed “low priority”.

The substance was also detected in classroom ceiling structures/linings, while assumed asbestos was found in a classroom door lining.

Asbestos was assumed to be in Moruya Public School classrooms built in the 1940s-50s, in its general purpose building and in wall linings, floor coverings and ceilings, however all findings were listed as “low priority”.

Chrysotile white asbestos was also found in Moruya Public School floor coverings and ceilings.

Batemans Bay High School’s register lists “presumed asbestos” in a demountable learning unit.

It was listed as in “good condition” and as a low priority.

Batemans Bay Public School’s register also has “presumed asbestos” within one of its demountable learning units, also deemed to be in “good condition”.

No asbestos was found Sunshine Bay Public School.

All the schools were initially surveyed in May 2008, however the register was issued in February 2014.