Arabic version: وزارة صحة الإقليم الشمالي تستعين بأخصائي بشأن عفن كاسوارينا بلازا
The Northern Territory Health Department has confirmed a Darwin building that houses a community health clinic and environmental health inspector offices (and other NT Health offices) has been dealing with persistent mould problems for years.
According to ABC News, the Health Services Union (HSU) NT branch said mould “has significantly infested the first and second floors” of Casuarina Plaza, and that staff have reported regularly cleaning mould from workstations and equipment, including foam therapy mats and children’s toys. “The mould is getting reported daily,” HSU NT Branch Secretary Billy Elrick said, and the union said the issue became persistent over the past few years following a redevelopment of the site.
The union raised the concerns in a letter to the Commissioner for Public Employment, Nicole Hurwood, sent last week, asking that staff be relocated out of the building. NT Health chief executive Susan Bowden said it was not necessary to move all staff out. Bowden described the situation as “unacceptable” and said NT Health had engaged a specialist environmental consultant to investigate and prepare a report.
She said some areas had already been closed off and that targeted measures had been undertaken while awaiting the report, including specialist deep cleaning of surface mould, extending air-conditioner hours to reduce humidity, and targeted carpet replacement. NT Health is also working to reduce indoor water sources such as pot plants, fish tanks and air fryers.
The story matters because young children attend Casuarina Plaza for therapeutic assessments and other interventions. The NT Health website cited by the department warns that while most people are exposed to mould daily without issue, “if mouldy materials are not removed or properly cleaned, high levels of airborne mould spores may be a health risk if you are sensitive.” The website also states mould “can trigger asthma attacks and make other respiratory and allergic conditions worse.”
What happens next: NT Health say they have mould specialists investigating the building and a report will be prepared in the coming weeks. The HSU has called for staff relocation; Bowden said alternative locations could be offered if patients do not feel comfortable and invited the union to have a conversation about the issue. Casuarina Plaza is not NT Health property but is leased to the Northern Territory government, and NT Health Minister Steve Edgington had been contacted for comment.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Northern Territory | General | Social/إجتماعية
