Parents using the UWA Early Learning Centre on Gordon Street, Nedlands raised concerns after asbestos was found at a neighbouring UWA student accommodation construction site.

The asbestos was discovered on Monday after fibrous asbestos cement debris was found at the development site at 22 Gordon Street. Parents claimed UWA knew about the asbestos weeks earlier but did not notify the childcare centre until the day before an excursion was organised for children to view the construction site.

One parent said they discovered the issue through a rumour and questioned why staff and families had not been told earlier, particularly given the proximity of the childcare centre and playgrounds to the construction site. Some families subsequently withdrew their children from the centre.

UWA said staff and parents were notified on 5 February and that the asbestos removal plans had been reviewed by a licensed assessor. The university said controls had been in place during the works and that contaminated material identified at the site was expected to be removed by the end of the week. A small amount of contaminated material found outside the site had already been removed in accordance with regulatory requirements.