School asbestos detected

It is understood the asbestos was discovered by a contractor doing work at the school and had not been previously recorded by the Education Department.

Prep, year 1 and 2 pupils were asked to stay at home for two days last week while work to remove the once common building material, got under way.

Other school buildings have also been checked and given the all-clear.

In a letter sent home to all parents last week, principal Philip Challis said the asbestos did not affect classrooms, play areas or spaces accessible to pupils.

``The roof space in Prep-1/2 will be cleaned and the building given safety clearance before children return to their classrooms,'' Mr Challis said.

``Clean-up work will take place after hours and may take up to two weeks.

``Classes will be relocated elsewhere in the school.''

A security fence has also been erected around the building to keep people out.

Department deputy secretary Andrew Finch said pupil and staff security was the No. 1 priority and at no time was anyone at risk in the school.

Mr Finch said in January last year Johnstone McGee and Gandy Pty Ltd carried out an audit of all 430 department sites to prepare asbestos registers.

``All departmental sites have an asbestos register, which is supported by detailed site plans identifying the locations of asbestos-containing materials,'' Mr Finch said.

``A significant aspect of this project was also the removal of all high-risk asbestos that has been identified through the audit.''

Most schools built or altered from about 1945 to 1980 and as late as 2003 - which was when the federal government banned asbestos use - may contain some of the toxic material.

Australian Education Union state president Terry Polglase said there was no danger to anyone unless the asbestos had been disturbed or damaged.

He said in an ideal world all asbestos would be removed from schools around the country.

``We'd like it removed tomorrow naturally - we'd want it all removed if possible,'' Mr Polglase said.

``But practically speaking, the cost would be too great.''