Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp has filed a notice of motion in state parliament calling for all remaining asbestos to be removed from Newcastle East Public School.
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Mr Crakanthorp first raised concerns about asbestos at the school with former education minister Rob Stokes in September 2017.
He also asked current education minister Sarah Mitchell if friable asbestos was present at the school during a budget estimates hearing in September 2019. He was advised the school did not contain friable asbestos.
Despite the assurance, friable asbestos was found in a roof cavity during roof replacement works on December 19, 2019.
But parents were not advised of the toxic threat until January 29 - 41 days later.
Concerned parents immediately withdrew their children from the school and surrounding residents demanded to know if they had been exposed to asbestos contamination.
Department of Education representatives assured the 200 people who attended a community meeting on Monday that the school's asbestos contamination risk was now no higher than the surrounding community.
It also provided responses on Wednesday night to questions raised at the meeting.
But concerns remain about the impact of exposure from legacy contamination in the playground.
Several have requested to inspect the school's asbestos inspection register.
Mr Crakanthorp said the school community needed peace of mind, which could only be achieved by removing all asbestos from the site.
"We're told there's only a small amount left - well, let's get rid of it. This needs to be a top priority and I'll continue to work with the parents to ensure it is delivered," he said.
"Parents needs to be able to send their children to school and be confident that they will be safe."
Parents have also requested copies of clearance certificates that the department says show the school is free from asbestos.
Meaghan McGregor said had not been provided with the certificate on Wednesday morning, which she is demanding before she allows her daughter Claudia to start school.
"As you can appreciate I was told everything was safe last Wednesday and on that advice I let my daughter enter that room. Yet again I have been reassured, but nothing as yet has been provided to support that statement," she wrote in an email to the school on Wednesday.
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Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
