The Blue Mountains City Council’s failings in handling an asbestos crisis that were revealed more than three years ago have been fixed and there is no reason for councillors to be sacked, an inquiry has found.after an independent probe found it had instructed its workers to dig up, transport, and sift through soil it knew was contaminated.
It also scrutinised the council’s employment processes for staff and contractors, including those engaged to independently investigate asbestos management and employment matters. The Blue Mountains City Council faced multiple investigations and a public inquiry into its handling of an asbestos crisis.“The public inquiry finds that any failings in asbestos management were not known to the councillors or council executive, but when they became aware they worked together to investigate and address them.
Ms Hancock said the delay in handing down findings from the inquiry was “due to COVID-19 and other regulatory investigations”.