Eight thousand tonnes of former landfill that was uncovered at Stockton Beach after a large swell in January is now being systematically removed by Hunter Water.
A specialist contractor, licenced to dispose of the material containing friable asbestos, began work at the site Wednesday 27 June.
The work will involve excavators loading the material onto trucks and transporting it to the Summerhill Waste Management Centre for disposal. It is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete.
Due to the inherent hazards of disturbing friable asbestos, workers will be wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) for their safety. An occupational hygienist will be on site during the removal of the waste, and air monitoring and dust suppression will also be carried out.
Hunter Water consulted with a range of agencies and carried out initial testing before any work took place to ensure the landfill material was treated safely and appropriately.
While stockpiled on the site, the material has been covered with a specialist fabric and regularly inspected to ensure there is no risk to public health or the environment.
