By ALAN PERROTT
A report to the Manukau City Council says five Flat Bush properties contaminated by asbestos pose no immediate health risk to the residents.
Housing developments in the suburb were built on or near an old asbestos dump site, which was used between the 1930s and 1970s.
But Flat Bush residents dismissed the health assessment and said that asbestos could take 40 years to affect a person's health.
They said the presence of asbestos in the suburb continued to have a "devastating" effect.
None of the residents contacted by the Herald wanted to be named until the community met to discuss the issue further.
The properties, in Rakaia Rise, were tested after stormwater work late last year exposed the potentially deadly material.
Fifteen properties were examined.
The tests discovered brown and white asbestos in the form of fibrolite chips, degraded fibrolite and widespread bundles of fibres.
The Gutteridge, Haskins & Davies report said there was no immediate health risk as long as the asbestos remained covered.
But it warned that any further excavations could expose more of the material.
Manukau City councillor Len Brown, who chairs the committee looking into the issue, said the report could bring the council's investigation to an end.
A further report had been requested from independent reviewer URS Woodward Clyde on how the council could now resolve the contamination issue with landowners.
But one resident said that a quick solution was unlikely and a recent rates rise added insult to injury.
The property's capital valuation was later increased after the landowner appealed.
Manukau City financial adviser Geoffrey Foster confirmed that the valuation of the property concerned increased from $45,000 to $68,000.
Lim (land information memorandum) reports for all Flat Bush properties are now tagged with asbestos warnings.
The residents said the tags had decreased the resale values of homes put on the market throughout the area.
Mr Foster confirmed that the valuers were aware of the asbestos issue.
Siong Ho, acting manager of Quotable Value New Zealand, who conducted the valuations, said the Flat Bush appraisals reflected the available sales figures.
He said residents could appeal against their valuations or complain to the land valuation tribunal.
Flat Bush residents not at risk says asbestos report
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.