Auckland Council has advised that works will be commencing mid-April on further planned remediation and asbestos containment alongside the seawall south of the Omaha boat ramp.

Tons of asbestos were previously removed along this seawall but remnants folded into the seawall vicinity are working their way to the surface. Hydro-seeding late last year did not achieve the protective grass coverage needed to lock down the asbestos-containing materials.

Late last year, Auckland Council completed its investigation into the presence of asbestos. Asbestos found predominantly in soils behind the seawall appear to have come from historic coastal structures. Findings highlighted that while some pieces are migrating to the surface, most elements are buried to depths of over two metres. Air monitoring has been undertaken, with results identifying very low levels of risk.

Contractors will soon be on-site to lay established Kikuyu turf over the areas which currently have the least coverage. This will be laid over a protective underlay, designed to stop materials from reaching the surface, reduce dust generation and inhibit ground disturbance. By laying established turf, the current impact of the rabbits digging into the softer exposed materials should also be reduced. The area will remain fenced until council is confident in the success of the grass planting.

Asbestos is a health risk when the smallest asbestos fibres are inhaled deep into a person’s lungs. Asbestos containing material such as the fibre cement only becomes hazardous when the following conditions are met:

 1. The asbestos containing material is in a form that fibres are released to air. 

2. The fibres are able to be dispersed into the breathing zone. 

3. The fibres are inhaled in high concentrations.

It has been deemed extremely unlikely that the asbestos found in the Omaha area will cause any health risk.