The 12 councillors now await the judgement of MP Gabrielle Upton, who last week issued a notice of intention to suspend the council and install an administrator over allegations of asbestos mismanagement. 

In response the council has submitted a statement to the minister saying it is meeting deadlines imposed by SafeWork NSW. On Friday SafeWork lifted improvement notices at Wentworth Falls Pre-School, Lawson library storeroom and Heatherbrae House. 

In an address to an extraordinary council meeting held last Friday night, Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill listed the work council had done to address the issue since May. 

This included providing health testing for 168 workers concerned about their exposure, preparing a new asbestos management plan and policy, updating and improving standard operating procedures and establishing an independent investigation into council’s asbestos management practices.

Cr Greenhill said more than $800,000 had been allocated to asbestos response and remediation. Over the last three weeks, licensed assessors had inspected more than 27 sites and facilities. 

“Minister, what else do you want? Let us know and we will comply,” the mayor repeatedly asked.

He also said the United Services Union, which represents council workers, did not want the councillors suspended.

“If the union is saying don’t do this and WorkSafe NSW is saying we’re doing well, why are we here,” he asked the meeting.

“I don’t believe that a government elected by the people of this community should be dismissed with the stroke of a pen… It ought not be this easy to set an elected administration aside.”

Lithgow mayor Stephen Lesslie attended the meeting.

When the notice to suspend the council was issued last Wednesday, Mr Lesslie described the action as “heavy handed”. 

“It’s unfair, it’s arbitrary, it’s discriminatory and it’s open to criticisms that it is solely politically motivated,” he said. 

“I question how replacing the councillors with an administrator would possibly make any difference. 

“Is Lithgow next on the hit list?”

At the meeting Mayor Greenhill said asbestos works are finished at Katoomba-Leura Pre-school backyard and continuing on Warrimoo Hall, Currawong Avenue in Valley Heights and Springwood depot.

As of Friday, SafeWork had given approval to lift the closure of the small vehicle area at Katoomba tip, which will allow it to be reopened to residents. Two other sites – Lawson stockpile and the old Blackheath tip – will take longer to settle.