Finucane Reserve Upgrade

Project snapshot

  • Project summary: Upgrade of the playground and surrounding parkland at Finucane Reserve.
  • Location: 1 Finucane Crescent, Matraville.
  • Contact officer: Brock Iacoviello, Project Manager - Infrastructure Services

Project details

Council is upgrading the playground and surrounding parkland at Finucane Reserve, Matraville. The upgrade will create a more inviting and enjoyable space for the community, especially local children and families.

Planned upgrades:

  • A new climbing net with a slide
  • A new swing set and spinner
  • Rubber soft-fall surfacing in the playground
  • A footpath linking Lawson Street and Menin Road
  • Seating along the new path and in the playground
  • A picnic table under a timber shade structure
  • Bike racks and a drinking bubbler
  • More trees for shade and greenery

The design has been guided by students from Soldiers’ Settlement Public School, who approached Council with ideas for improvements to the park in 2024. Following this, Council staff took onboard the feedback from the children in designing the park improvements.

Click here to view the concept plan.

Managing asbestos safely during the upgrade

Finucane Reserve is known to contain traces of asbestos containing material (ACM) buried in the ground.

Unfortunately it is common to find this type of material underneath the ground in some parks in the southeast of Sydney.

Asbestos containing building materials were commonly used in construction between the 1940s and 1980s.

Remnant material is still sometimes found buried underground and is likely to be from old buildings that were demolished, poor historic landfill practices or even illegal dumping.

The material does not pose a risk while it is contained within the ground but needs to be managed during any works.

As part of the upgrade, Council will remediate sections of the reserve where we identified asbestos-containing material during previous works on site.

At the time, the works were immediately stopped, and the affected area was safely capped and covered with clean material. A clearance certificate was issued by an environmental hygienist confirming the area was safe for public use.

To prepare for the current playground upgrade and ensure community safety, Council engaged environmental specialists to carry out a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) in line with NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) guidelines. This included:

  • Soil sampling from 26 locations (click here to see test sites)
  • Laboratory analysis of soil samples for asbestos and other potential contaminants
  • Screening of potential hazardous ground gas
  • Asbestos air monitoring during the works

The investigation confirmed that asbestos is present underground in four of the test sites, one near the playground and the remaining three outside the works area (in the south part of the reserve). No asbestos was found on the ground surface, and air monitoring results met all safety standards.

During the upgrade, the work area will be securely fenced off. The contractor will follow strict safety procedures outlined in the Remediation Action Plan (RAP) and Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) ensuring the work is done safely for both the workers and the community.

Local residents will be notified prior to any works taking place.

How is the community being protected?

  • The work area will be fenced off at all times
  • Trained professionals will manage and monitor the site
  • Air monitoring will be carried out during soil disturbance
  • All works will comply with EPA and SafeWork NSW safety standards

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the park currently safe to use?
Yes. There is no risk to park users while the ground remains undisturbed. Asbestos only becomes a concern when fibres are made airborne, which can only happen if contaminated soil is uncovered or damaged. Normal park use, including walking, playing and sitting on the grass or playground, is safe.

What’s involved in the remediation?
A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) have been prepared by environmental hygienists – JBS&G Australia. The plans outline the procedures and standards for safely remediating the four affected areas.

Where did the asbestos come from?
We can’t be sure. There were many industrial uses in the 1940s and 50s in this area and it’s possible that material from demolished buildings may have been buried onsite.  The land was turned into a park in the early 1980s. During previous works, asbestos-containing material was found in subsurface soil and the area was made safe by capping and covering with clean fill at the time.

Why isn’t all the asbestos being removed?
Removing all contaminated soil is not always the safest or most effective solution. EPA guidelines support approaches that minimise soil disturbance. In many cases, capping or isolating the soil is a safer and more practical method of remediation.

What is a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI)?
A DSI is a comprehensive investigation used to understand if a site is contaminated and how it can be safely managed. At Finucane Reserve, this included soil sampling, asbestos air monitoring, and site history research. The results have informed the Remediation Action Plan (RAP).

What if I find something in the park that looks like fibro?
Please don’t touch or disturb it. Contact Council and, if possible, send a photo and the location. This will help our team respond quickly and safely.

Who is responsible for managing the contamination?
Randwick City Council is the landowner and is responsible for ensuring the site is safe, both during and after the upgrade works.

How is Council keeping the community informed?
We’re committed to keeping residents updated and informed. All works will follow best-practice safety standards, and project information will be shared on Council’s website.

Timeline

Works have commenced and are to be completed at the end of September 2025 (weather permitting). Construction will take place during standard working hours, with no night works currently planned.

Clearance Certificates and Air Monitoring Reports

Last Updated: 10 October 2025
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