The discovery of potentially asbestos-contaminated sand products has thrown the Australian Capital Territory's education system into disarray, leading to widespread school closures and a major health and safety operation.
National Alert Triggers Local Crisis
The situation escalated rapidly after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued a national alert concerning coloured sand products on Friday, November 12, 2025. On that same day, WorkSafe ACT confirmed a local sample had tested positive for asbestos, setting off alarm bells across the territory's education department.
A Rolling Wave of School Closures
The ACT government's response unfolded in a series of announcements that left parents scrambling. The first school closures were communicated at 6.40am on Friday, November 14. This was followed by a cascade of further closure notices issued at 9am, 10am, 12pm, and 1pm on the same day.
Testing crews worked throughout the weekend to assess the scale of the contamination. By Sunday night, the government announced that 69 schools would be closed on Monday, November 17. The disruption continued into Tuesday, with only a handful of schools receiving the all-clear to reopen on Wednesday, November 19.
Ongoing Response and Community Impact
The testing and removal of the suspect sand products is ongoing this week. Images from sites like Black Mountain School show experts in protective gear removing contaminated material, while Education Minister Yvette Berry has been at the forefront of media briefings addressing the public's concerns.
This developing saga has created significant uncertainty for families, students, and staff, highlighting critical issues around material safety in public spaces. The community now awaits further updates as authorities work to make all school sites safe.
