A taskforce has been established by the NSW government to address the discovery of asbestos-contaminated mulch in various sites across Sydney, including schools, parks, hospitals, and supermarkets. Premier Chris Minns has raised concerns about potential contamination at hundreds of sites in Sydney. While contamination has been found in Sydney and some regional areas, authorities in the Hunter region claim no awareness of contaminated mulch in their area. Local councils in the Hunter, such as Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, assert rigorous quality control measures for mulch used in public spaces. The Department of Education has stated no concerns about contaminated mulch being supplied to schools in the region, though some schools are listed on the state asbestos register. The EPA is conducting a criminal investigation into the matter.
