Asbestos closes Wellington Pde. after panel falls from building!

[Matt F]

Wellington Pde was closed between Powlett St. and Clarendon St. most of the day and evening after an asbestos sheeting panel fell from a neighbouring building in the gale force winds this morning.

The panel struck the road in front of the derelict MCG pub site, but it was not clear where the panel fell from. Onlookers thought it could have come either from the office high-rise building next door to us (176 Wellington Pde) or the old MCG pub site, or even the work-site at the ballroom end of the Hilton hotel. Asbestos has been banned from use since the early 1980's but was in common use in the 1960's and 70's.

Thankfully it appears no-one was struck by the falling panel, but the fear was asbestos fibers were released into the air when the panel broke-up on impact. The fire brigade was seen hosing down the impact site and nearby gutters, including directly outside 166 Wellington Pde. Police closing the road were seen wearing face masks, and a professional asbestos cleanup crew were wearing full face and body protection.

Did anyone see or know anything more?
I took these photo's below which you can see full size by clicking them while logged in.

Looking south down WPde in front of 166. Two fat indians was open but no customers inside.

Incident site. Note the wet road and gutters after hosing down.

Incident site. See the workman in middle of road in full Asbestos suit

Police road block at Wellington & Powlett

 

[Dave]

Ah so that's what that was. Lucky it didn't happen a day earlier, would have been chaos with all the grand final traffic etc.

 

[Matt F]

Ah so that's what that was. Lucky it didn't happen a day earlier, would have been chaos with all the grand final traffic etc.

exactly dave! It was pretty chaotic even for the day after the GF, as all the hotels (e.g. Hilton) and short stay accommodation around here was fully booked.
Cars that were diverted by the road block mostly took George St, so George St was very heavy with traffic most of the day.
No report of this in todays newspapers! I was hoping to find out where the asbestos panel came from.

 

[Matt F]

Wellington Parade is closed again, Tuesday evening, between Clarendon & Powlett (same as last Sunday).

Around a dozen fire brigade officers, some in full asbestos suits (see photo below), are on Wellington Parade in front of the old MCG pub (between Hilton ball room and 166 Wellington Parade).

This time there is a huge crane over the derelict MCG pub with fire brigade members seemingly inspecting the roof of the building.
Fire brigade tankers are lined up in front of Hilton hotel. Trams are not being stopped but cars are being diverted into East Melbourne.

No idea what is going on, but the concern seems to be centered on inside the old MCG pub and the roof of the pub.