ABC Canberra

16/11/2025

Nearly 70 Canberra schools will be closed on Monday due to asbestos contamination concerns after additional coloured sand products were recalled.

The ACT's education department closed 16 schools and six preschools, and partially closed eight other schools, on Friday after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a recall notice for coloured sand products when testing detected traces of asbestos.

Kmart and Target have since issued a product safety recall for four additional products, and the ACT Education Directorate has decided to close 69 schools on Monday in response.

ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said unfortunately the latest recalled products were used even more widely in Canberra schools than the initially identified products.

List of closed schools from Monday:

· Ainslie School

· Amaroo School

· Aranda Primary School

· Arawang Primary School

· Black Mountain School

· Bonython Primary School

· Calwell Primary School

· Chapman Primary School

· Charnwood-Dunlop School

· Campbell Primary School

· Caroline Chisholm School

· Charles Weston School

· Chapman Primary School

· Cranleigh School

· Curtin Primary School

· Duffy Primary School

· Evatt Primary School

· Evelyn Scott School

· Fadden Primary School

· Farrer Primary School

· Flexible Education

· Florey Primary School

· Forrest Primary School

· Franklin School

· Fraser Primary School

· Garran Primary School

· Gilmore Primary School

· Giralang Primary School

· Gold Creek School

· Gordon Primary School

· Gowrie Primary School

· Harrison School

· Hawker Primary School

· Hughes Primary School

· Isabella Plains Early Childhood School

· Jervis Bay School

· Kaleen Primary School

· Kingsford Smith School

· Latham Primary School

· Lyneham Primary School

· Lyons Early Childhood School

· Macgregor Primary School

· Macquarie Primary School

· Majura Primary School

· Malkara School

· Margaret Hendry School

· Maribyrnong Primary School

· Miles Franklin School

· Monash Primary School

· Mount Rogers Primary School

· Mount Stromlo High School

· Namadgi School

· Narrabundah Early Childhood School

· Neville Bonner Primary School

· Ngunnawal Primary School

· North Ainslie Primary School

· O'Connor Cooperative School

· Palmerston Primary School

· Red Hill Primary School

· Richardson Primary School

· Southern Cross Early Childhood School

· Taylor Primary School

· Telopea Park School

· Theodore Primary School

· Throsby School

· Torrens Primary School

· University of Canberra High School Kaleen

· Wanniassa Hills Primary School

· Wanniassa School

· Weetangera Primary School

· Yarralumla Primary School

16/11/2025

Kmart and Target recall four coloured sand products over concerns of asbestos contamination, as the ACT's education department is set to announce whether schools closed on Friday will reopen tomorrow.

Kmart recalls four coloured sand products over concerns of asbestos contamination, as the ACT's education department is set to announce whether schools closed on Friday will reopen tomorrow.

15/11/2025

With a mix of marinated olives, red onion, capsicum and creamy feta, tossed with fresh herbs and a zesty lemon-garlic dressing, this salad pairs perfectly with grilled meats, seafood or a mezze spread.

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With a mix of marinated olives, red onion, capsicum and creamy feta, tossed with fresh herbs and a zesty lemon-garlic dressing, this salad pairs perfectly with grilled meats, seafood or a mezze spread.

15/11/2025

The first of 17 public schools closed on Friday due to fears of asbestos exposure has reopened, as an epidemiologist says parents should not be concerned.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

Seventeen schools were shut down on Friday after concerns about asbestos exposure. The reopening of one of the schools has been fast-tracked.

14/11/2025

Fresh herbs can be expensive at the supermarket, but many perennial varieties are cheap and easy to grow at home.

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Fresh herbs can be expensive at the supermarket, but many perennial varieties are cheap and easy to grow at home.

14/11/2025

According to the curator of a new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, there's no one else like Kaylene Whiskey in the universe.

So why is she making waves?

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Dolly Parton has never stepped foot on the dry red dirt of Indulkana in remote South Australia, but she is a frequent visitor in the art of Kaylene Whisky, which celebrates sisterhood and strong women.

14/11/2025

A recall of children's coloured sand after asbestos traces were found has led to the closure of multiple public schools in the ACT, leaving parents scrambling for care options and answers.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

A recall of children’s coloured sand after asbestos traces were found has led to the closure of multiple public schools in the ACT, leaving parents scrambling for care options and answers.

14/11/2025

Big Splash will remain shut this summer after its owners abandoned their plans to reopen by mid‑November, blaming rising repair costs.

The water park was due to reopen by mid-November 2025 after being directed by ACT officials to repair and maintain the site, which has languished in a state of disrepair since closing over the summer of 2023-24.

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14/11/2025

Big Splash will remain shut this summer after its owners abandoned their plans to reopen by mid‑November, blaming rising repair costs.

The water park was due to reopen by mid-November 2025 after being directed by ACT officials to repair and maintain the site, which has languished in a state of disrepair since closing over the summer of 2023-24.

Personalise your news and stay in the know with the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

Canberra's only water park will remain shut for the summer despite promises by the site's owners it would reopen by mid-November.

14/11/2025

Peak severe weather season is arriving, and an influx of tropical moisture will fuel thunderstorms in all Australian states and territories between Friday and Sunday.

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Peak severe weather season is arriving, and an influx of tropical moisture will fuel thunderstorms in all Australian states and territories between Friday and Sunday.

14/11/2025

There have been snap closures of schools in Canberra and Brisbane after asbestos was found in recalled coloured sand.

People who may have any of the sand products in their homes, including any arts or crafts made with the product, are being urged not to disturb or use it, to prevent dust or fibres from becoming airborne.

When disposing of the product, wear disposable gloves, protective eyewear and a P2-rated face mask that fits your face snugly.

Via ABC Canberra by Yasmine Wright Gittins

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13/11/2025

Fifteen public schools in Canberra are closed today, with several others partially closed due to potential asbestos exposure.

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The ACT has closed 15 public schools today, with several others partially closed due to potential asbestos exposure.