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18 MARCH 2022 ISSUE 013
OVONEWS ISSUE 013 18 MARCH 2022
NovoNews
Novocastrians dig deep for flooded communities
Advocate for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Thomas Mayor, visited Newcastle on March 10, seeking the community’s support for a First Nations Voice to Parliament to give Indigenous Australians constitutional recognition. See page 7
NovoSociety
A staggering 105 students from Merewether High School are participating in the World’s Greatest Shave, hoping to raise $80,000 to help researchers find a cure for leukaemia.
The finest of Novocastrian spirit has emerged in the wake of the devastating floods in northern NSW, as local Hunter businesses and residents pull together to help the states most vulnerable. See pages 4-5 Newcastle Permanent’s Paul Juergens and Lifeline’s Melissa Sams sort donated clothing. Photo: Hunter Lifeline
See page 13
NovoCulture
Asbestos contamination still a major concern for community
The Newcastle community is invited to join Piano Day 2022 celebrations by attending a free live music event featuring an intimate and immersive musical experience by some talented local artists. See page 20
NovoSport
Hunter kids will have the chance to meet and play with their cricketing heroes when the Sydney Sixers visit on April 1. See page 23
Despite Islington Park reopening to the public, nearby residents have expressed concerns about what they believe is an “inadequate” response from authorities to ongoing asbestos contamination. After the devastating fire at the Wickham woolsheds on March 1, City of Newcastle closed Islington Park to enable specialist asbestos crews to remove fragments of asbestoscontaining materials (ACM) with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrestance) vacuums. City of Newcastle said an independent Licenced Asbestos Assessor inspected all areas of the park afterwards and found no visible asbestos remaining. A clearance certificate was issued on March 13, and the park reopened. “Air monitoring was undertaken during the clean-up and as part of the clearance inspection with all results coming back clear of airborne asbestos fibres,” a City of Newcastle statement read.
City of Newcastle warned that vehicles or falling trees could introduce the occasional fragment into the area. However, some residents have said that the clean-up effort was still not good enough. One Islington resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, has refused to visit the park with her young children despite its reopening. “Everyone agrees that Islington Park isn’t being dealt with properly … it’s definitely not a thorough job,” she said. “The school is being dug up and thoroughly cleaned, but that’s not the case for Islington Park, which is situated closer to the fire.” The woman said her neighbours had encountered numerous asbestos pieces following the park reopening. She said users were worried that when City of Newcastle resumed mowing and park maintenance services it would disturb dormant fibres. When asbestos is disturbed, either in its natural form or in an asbestos-
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containing product, fibres can become airborne and easily inhaled. Asbestos fibres may become trapped in the lungs causing many lifethreatening diseases such as cancer. “Parents particularly are really worried about it… people are really upset that not enough is being done for the health and safety of local people,” the Islington resident said.
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