Canberrans are being invited by the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD) to contribute to a place of reflection for people impacted by the ‘Mr Fluffy’ loose fill asbestos insulation.
Announced by the Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, Rebecca Vassarotti, a place of reflection has been recommended by the former Mr Fluffy Community and Expert Reference Group.
Ms Vassarotti said a forest shelter at the National Arboretum would become a place of reflection to remember the impact of the loose fill asbestos insulation on many thousands of Canberrans.
She said it was important to acknowledge the enormous impact Mr Fluffy had on the city and asked Canberrans to help shape the information they would like to be shared from forest shelter.
“The location of the place of reflection at one of the Arboretum’s forest shelters means visitors will be able to sit and reflect on their own or others’ experiences with this dangerous material as they look over our city,” Ms Vassarotti said.
“If visitors would like more information, they will be able to use a QR code to access online information,” she said.
“We are asking the Canberra community to tell us what kind of information they would like to see about Mr Fluffy loose fill asbestos insulation that sensitively captures its legacy and is appropriate both for those impacted and those reading about loose fill asbestos insulation products in future.”
Ms Vassarotti said that while the views of owners of homes affected by Mr Fluffy were paramount, the Territory recognised that the presence of loose fill asbestos touched many others across the ACT who lived or worked in an affected property, or whose streets and neighbourhoods were forever changed by the actions taken to eradicate the dangerous substance.
“We also value their feedback,” the Minister said.
“We also hope the shelter will raise awareness about the impact dangerous substances can have on communities.”
Ms Vassarotti said the site for the forest shelter, expected to be open to the public by June, would be selected by the Legacy Project Working Group which would factor in issues such as accessibility, the vista view from the site and foot traffic around the site.
She said Canberrans could contribute to the project’s development until 9 February.
Further information on the place of reflection at the National Arboretum can be accessed at this PS News link.
