REMOVAL of asbestos and other work being carried out at the old Tascot carpet factory at East Devonport has caused some concern for local residents.
A number of issues were raised at last night’s Devonport City Council meeting, including questions about why truckloads of materials were taken on site.
Three people took to the microphone during the council meeting’s public question time to ask what was happening.
One resident said he was worried to see asbestos signage appear on the factory fence.
He wanted to know if the council knew anything about the demolition of the factory and the cost of it.
Another resident told the council the gate was left unlocked while the work was being carried out at the carpet factory and anyone could walk in.
A resident wanted assurances from the council that the site would continue to be zoned residential, which is what it reverted to after the factory closed down.
Acting council general manager Matthew Atkins confirmed that asbestos removal was happening at the old factory.
Mr Atkins said no council permit had been granted for any building works.
He said the work going on at the factory would be repairs and maintenance work only.
Devonport Mayor Steve Martin said that under the interim planning scheme the site was zoned residential and would remain so unless a development application was received asking the council to consider rezoning the site.
Alderman Martin said the council would look at any such rezoning application on its merits.
He said Workplace Standards Tasmania would be in charge of any removal of asbestos.
View original –
Tascot carpet factory asbestos removal questioned