Testing carried out at the Former Transport Depot in Kingston has found lead particulates in surface dust.
The Former Transport Depot, home of the Old Bus Depot Markets, has been closed since early 2020. During this time $6.5 million of renovations have been underway to improve the safety, accessibility and sustainability of the facility. Renovations were due to be completed in March 2021.
In the course of undertaking the renovations, dust samples collected from the Former Transport Depot were analysed and showed the presence of lead particles.
Following this, a licensed assessor tested surfaces in and around the facility in February. Some of the test results returned a lead reading above the adopted threshold limit on surfaces. The contractor also set up air monitoring test points in late January. All results returned during that testing period show that the concentration of atmosphere lead was below the detectable limits.
It is likely that the lead dust has been present with minimal disturbance at the Former Transport Depot for many years but may have been unsettled during recent construction activities.
As a result, the facility will undergo cleaning and remediation prior to reopening to the public.
Old Bus Depot Market stallholders were informed of the situation today.
Access to the site will continue to be restricted until cleaning and remediation can occur. The Old Bus Depot Markets will not open until after cleaning and remediation is complete. Work is still being undertaken to determine the cost and extent of the cleaning and remediation, but it is expected to take at least three months.
The ACT Government will work with contractors, stakeholders and employees who were in the building during construction and may need to undergo testing.
