Dozens of Sydney’s asbestos-contaminated sites not cleaned up six months after first discovery

Rozelle Parklands in Sydney, where the asbestos contamination was first discovered in January, reopened in April. Photograph: Peter Hannam

Dozens of contaminated sites in Sydney are yet to be cleaned up six months after asbestos was first discovered in mulch at a public park, as the New South Wales treasurer urges the environment regulator to “throw the book” at polluters.

The Environment Protection Authority is refusing to name the sites that are yet to be remediated as it continues its criminal investigation into the source of asbestos contamination in recycled garden mulch that was used widely across greater Sydney.