Geoff Helisma|

The discovery of friable asbestos during the demolition of two redundant reservoirs at Lawrence and Southgate has added an extra $246,122.37 to the original $426,578.20 contract, which was awarded to Major Project Group (MPG) Pty Ltd in May this year.

Companies that tendered for the Clarence Valley Council (CVC) contract were provided with pre-tender testing results that “indicated that asbestos material within both reservoirs was classified as bonded and confined to the internal asbestos cement riser pipes”, the report to the November 26 CVC meeting stated.

However, MPG, as “part of [its] due diligence, undertook additional testing of the asbestos material, and their hygienist has reclassified the asbestos material as friable”.

“In addition, the hygienist indicated that all lining material within the Lawrence reservoir also needed to be considered as containing asbestos,” the report to council stated.

“…asbestos is not considered a health risk unless it is disturbed and so has not posed a risk to drinking water.

“As reservoirs are contained structures, no significant issues are expected with containment of asbestos material during removal.

“The main cost in the variation is maintaining the containment during removal of the material.”

Demolition of the Lawrence reservoir, which is adjacent to the Lawrence Public School, will be completed during the forthcoming school holidays.

“The work is required to be undertaken continuously (including weekends) in order to be completed before school resumes,” the report to council stated.

Meanwhile, the steel from the Southgate reservoir, which was demolished during October and November, had to be transported to Queensland for disposal due to its classification as “regulated or restricted waste”.

There were four tenders tabled at the May CVC meeting: MPG was the second cheapest compared to DEMEX’s $169,269.38; and there were tenders of $853,610 and $1,413,223 by AADEMEX and Ledonne Constructions, respectively.