DEMOLITION work on the former BP service station, located at Aberdeen, was stopped on Friday after the discovery of material containing asbestos.
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Upper Hunter Shire Council granted conditional development consent to flatten and replace the premises at its monthly meeting back in December 2015.
However, despite being razed to the ground, further issues arose last week.
“SafeWork NSW issued a prohibition and improvement notice to the owner of the site [of the former petrol station] on the corner of New England Highway and Macqueen Street to cease work,” a SafeWork NSW spokesperson said.
“We have directed the site owner to engage a licensed asbestos removalist and occupational hygienist to remove the asbestos containing material and undertake air monitoring.
“Following the issuing of a clearance certificate by the occupational hygienist, SafeWork NSW will permit demolition work to recommence at the site.”
Rana and Singh Management Pty Limited lodged its development application for a 24-hour service station with council in March 2015.
The site has an area of 1088 square metres, bounded by Macqueen Street (New England Highway), Short Street, Bedford Street and the Main North Rail Line.
The proposal sought to demolish the existing service station and construct a new one containing a shop and customer service area; amenities, a canopy above the bowsers, BP identification logos on the north, south and west of the block and one BP identification logo on the west side of the new building.
Before granting consent, council noted potential environmental and residential issues relating to development on the site, among them: asbestos hazards during demolition; noise; vibrations causing damage during construction; stormwater run-off; land and water pollution; trading hours; lighting from signage; increased traffic movement; and potential for increased crime.
Council officers and NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) also had concerns, at the time, about the proposed heavy vehicle access at the Macqueen Street site.
Ironically, in the past month, asbestos fears have reared their ugly head again, too.
The Chronicle reported last week that a lawyer who once acted for the late campaigner Bernie Banton was concerned about Liddell Power Station’s “health” legacy on the people of Muswellbrook Shire.
So troubled by the plant’s “hangover”, and the amount of fibro houses still in the area, Tanya Segelov, from Segelov Taylor Lawyers, will meet with locals to discuss asbestos-related issues at the Muswellbrook RSL Club on December 12.