Politics & Council
11 December, 2023
Did minister read report? Govt says it didn’t matter
By CHRIS EARL HEALTH Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has refused to confirm whether she read a report showing there was no asbestos in the old Inglewood ambulance station. The State Government has instead said the all-clear report obtained last week by...
By CHRIS EARL
HEALTH Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has refused to confirm whether she read a report showing there was no asbestos in the old Inglewood ambulance station.
The State Government has instead said the all-clear report obtained last week by the Loddon Herald under Freedom of Information made no difference to a decision that saw the 1980s building demolished amid community fury in September.
Ms Thomas was asked whether she had read the report before making statements that the building contained asbestos and agreeing to demolition.
A Government spokesperson responded saying: “To ensure the new Inglewood ambulance station is safe for paramedics and delivers the required functionality for ambos to quickly respond to local emergencies, the decision was made to demolish the old Inglewood ambulance station. It was demolished to make way for new and improved vehicle access to help our paramedics do what they do best, save lives.”
The Government also said “It was never an option to keep the old building, claiming retention would have limited the functionality of the new station.
No explanation has been given on how retention of the building would have hindered operation of the new station.
“Routine audits in 2016 and 2022 had indicated that, due to the age and construction of the building, asbestos-containing material may be present in the ceiling, but this area could not be accessed,” the Government said.
“Following due diligence in preparation for demolition, this was further investigated and it was found that asbestos was not present.”
A report by Guymer Bailey Architects in February 2022 included a certificate of analysis from the previous November confirming “no asbestos detected”.
Documents released also show a 2018 audit did not detect asbestos in assessed areas of the old ambulance station. That inspection was a re-audit of assessments made in 2013.
Department of Health in April 2022 approved a $10 million-plus contract for Bowden Corporation to build the new station after the ambulance residence on the adjoining block was demolished.
The insurance value of the two buildings, mostly built with funds raised in the community was $1.1 million in 2019.
Despite Ms Thomas’ insistence in September that the old station contained asbestos, the Government admitted hours after demolition started that the substance was not present.
A Government spokesperson then said it had only been “suspected” that asbestos was in the building.
The Inglewood community started a petition to save the building for future use by the district health service or other local groups.
Advocacy from Northern Victoria Region MP Gaelle Broad to have a halt to demolition plans while talks were held with the community were ignored by the Government.
Ms Broad last month said the minister’s reaction to the community had been disrespectful.