This follows admissions from telco that further traces of asbestos have been confirmed in more of its communications pits in Western Sydney.
Hills Council General Manager Dave Walker said that Council’s footpath program is on hold, with Telstra providing a limited response as to when they will alleviate the issue.
Recently constructed footpaths along Middleton Avenue, Castle Hill; Ridgecrop Drive, Castle Hill and Bettington Road Oatlands, contain gaps in between the footpath and the lid of the Telstra pit, Mr Walker said.
These gaps in the completed footpaths may create a hazard and Mr Walker said he’ll consider covering Telstra pits with bitumen if a delay to the rollout of the footpath program continues to drag on.
Mr Walker said it’s a frustrating situation that was delaying more than $1 million worth of infrastructure.
“We want to be able to fulfil our delivery program, but we’re in a position where we are being held up by Telstra, who are not giving us an answer as to when we can re-start building footpaths,” Mr Walker said.
“While it’s important to manage asbestos in a safe manner, the limited response we’re getting from Telstra doesn’t help and we have no idea when we can get moving on a large component of our four-year plan.”
“Council’s work should not be held up because another organisation can’t get their act together.”
Mr Walker said that building footpaths and connecting the community remained one of the Council’s highest priorities. “Whilst Telstra has finally made some commitment in regards to constructed footpaths, we are yet to see activity occur.”
