‘Potentially exposed’: staff in asbestos scare at Canberra health centre

The City Health Centre has actually been closed considering that late June. Photo by Karleen Minney

The City Health Centre at the corner of 1 Moore Street was closed in June after asbestos was found throughout regular upkeep.

The centre was at first anticipated to resume within a couple of days however the closure has actually dragged out, with health services personnel left questioning when it will be safe to return.

In reaction to concerns from independent MLA Thomas Emerson, Public Service Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith has actually verified that asbestos was at first discovered throughout regular upkeep in the level 1 plant space on Friday, June 18.

Additional screening determined polluted product in the ground and level 1 flooring mezzanine plant space in equipment and within ducting.

3 members from Infrastructure Canberra’s heating, ventilation and cooling group were consequently recommended they had actually possibly been exposed to asbestos-containing product.

“Infrastructure Canberra, in consultation with its team, is currently collaborating with impacted people and an external medical provider for appropriate testing,” Ms Stephen-Smith stated in reaction to a concern on notification from Mr Emerson.

“Confirmation of this advice was provided to the affected individuals on 24 September 2026. Discussions were conducted prior to this date about the testing.”

According to Comcare, health threats from asbestos boost with much heavier direct exposure and longer direct exposure time, however asbestos-related illness have actually been discovered in individuals who were just quickly exposed.

The City Health Centre and Canberra Innovation Network are housed in the 1 Moore Sreet federal government structure. Image by Karleen Minney

Professional specialists had actually been gotten in touch with on Thursday, June 25, to examine the health centre asbestos discover.

“Sampled materials were collected by the specialist consultant on Friday 26 June and confirmed as being ACM when testing results were received on Monday, 29 June, 2026,” Ms Stephen-Smith stated.

Health services housed in the Moore Street structure consisted of the MSI Canberra Abortion and Contraception Clinic, BreastScreen ACT, canTEST tablet screening and public psychological health and oral services. Providers were briefly transferred to a range of other areas, with some psychological health personnel working for numerous days from a space at the back of a Civic drug store.

The Moore Street structure likewise houses the Canberra Innovation Network, which has the ability to access its facilities.

The health centre was opened in 1978. In 2016, the ACT federal government flagged the possible moving of health services and sale of the structure as part of as part of a federal government “asset recycling scheme” which urged states and areas to offer aging facilities and invest the profits in brand-new tasks.

The sale did not go on and the structure was later on refurbished.