Shellharbour City Council has been forced to step in after asbestos-filled dirt was found uncovered at a building site in Albion Park last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Plastic sheeting covering mounds of dirt with asbestos had come loose at the construction site, where the Defence Department is building a new facility for its air force cadets.
A nearby worker said he called the council and Defence Force last week and was told the situation was being managed.
But this week the 44-year-old man contacted the Mercury because nothing had been done.
"There's no-one down there with big-boy pants on to make a decision," he said. "I'm worried about the local residents.
"What about the cadets and staff? It needs to be cleaned and sealed properly."
Signs warning people to "keep out asbestos removal in progress" hung on the building site's fencing.
"They put these signs up scaring the crap out of everyone and then do a half-decent job," he said.
The council intervened on Tuesday to have the asbestos sealed properly, followed by a safety check on Wednesday after they were allowed on to the site.
The land, owned by Shellharbour Council, has been leased to the Australian Defence Force Cadets at a nominal annual rental of $100 plus GST for 10 years.
A Shellharbour Council spokeswoman said precautions were being taken to ensure the community would not be at risk when asbestos was unearthed at the site.
"Work has ceased on the site until the matter is investigated so that remediation can begin in accordance with the recommendations of the specialist independent contractor engaged by council to assess the site," she said.
"Air quality monitoring has determined that there is no risk to public health from the building materials, which continue to be monitored daily."