DESPITE the possibility that deadly asbestos could be exposed if a waste-management plant is built at the old James Hardie factory site in Camellia, the NSW Government is still considering the development application.
The proposal, by the German company Remondis, will comprise building a waste-management plant on top of a seven-hectare concrete cap laid over the site more than 10 years ago to contain the asbestos-contaminated soil.
But a report prepared by Consulting Earth Scientists in 2010 stated any excavation could potentially "breach the site seal and disturb the underlying fill material which will increase the risk of exposure to the identified contamination".
This would expose residents, workers, a University of Western Sydney satellite campus, Rosehill Racecourse and at least five childcare centres within a kilometre radius of the site to the deadly substance.
Leona Jenkins, 31, who sends her son Mason to the childcare centre Explore and Develop opposite the site, is outraged about this. "If it goes ahead I'll remove Mason from childcare and consider changing my job," she said.
Karen Banton, widow of the asbestos-victims compensation campaigner Bernie Banton, said she would lodge an objection to the State Government this week.
"It isn't worth taking the chance, especially with the concrete slab being breached," she said. "It'll be hazardous and dangerous. The safety of the community is paramount."
Parramatta Greens Convenor Phil Bradley condemned the proposal and called on the government to clean up the industrial area before considering the development.
But NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard said the application was being considered by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure and would be determined by the independent Planning Assessment Commission.
The project will remain on public display until Tuesday, April 10.