By XAVIER SMERDON
RACING Victoria has launched an immediate investigation into the possible presence of airborne asbestos at the Werribee Racing Club.
New Racing Victoria General Manager of Werribee, Ross Kendell, told Star last week that an investigation would be done after allegations that the area was plagued by the dangerous material.
Mr Kendell denied any knowledge of the existence of airborne asbestos but said it was likely the banned insulation material would be found in some of the buildings.
“I’d be fairly confident to say that there is asbestos in some of the buildings. There’s asbestos in half the houses in Australia,” Mr Kendell said.
“I’m certainly unaware of any disturbed asbestos in any of the buildings. I’d be concerned myself if there was, for my own health.”
A source told Star that management had known about the disturbed asbestos for several years, an allegation that has been denied by Mr Kendell.
“If somebody is making that kind of allegation then I would question why they didn’t act upon it say nine or 10 months ago. Why are we only hearing about this now?” Mr Kendell said.
“Having it been brought to our attention we will definitely be bringing someone in to look very closely at it to determine whether or not there is any airborne asbestos.
“Now that there has been some sorts of allegations about airborne asbestos we will definitely be doing an investigation into it.”
On 10 December last year a storm caused the cancellation of a race meeting after buildings were damaged.
Mr Kendell said the storm was unlikely to have disturbed any asbestos.
“In terms of the storm last year… the roof of the function centre collapsed. The function centre was only built fairly recently, we’re talking less than 10 years ago, so there certainly wouldn’t be asbestos in that,” he said.
“So to say it’s because of the storm just doesn’t add up.”
Mr Kendell said the allegations were concerning to the Werribee Racing Club.
“Racing Victoria have come in to provide assistance with the management of the club and we’re certainly unaware of any disturbed asbestos in the area,” he said.
“We’re trying to get the club back to kicking some goals and being the club that everyone wants it to be.”
