As the school gates were locked desperate parents hoped the dramatic discovery will lead to urgent government action.

The school community has spent at least five years lobbying for $7 million to fix the run down facilities. An independent report commissioned by the government found 57 per cent of the school buildings were in poor condition and 34 per cent needed to be bulldozed. 

Parents yesterday were given few answers on what hazards were found, or when students can return and who was ultimately responsible for the issue. 

Despite ordering the school be shut down, WorkSafe Victoria could not say precisely how much asbestos was found or where. 

“WorkSafe was called to Timboon P-12 School in relation to asbestos ... it identified several safety concerns, including exposed asbestos and peeling paint that may be lead-based,” a spokeswoman said. 

She was unable to say who had contacted WorkSafe with the concerns. 

“A prohibition notice was issued, which prevents the school being used until all safety issues are addressed.”

The Education Depart-ment released a brief letter to parents through Timboon P-12 principal Rosalie Moorfield, saying that “WorkSafe visited our school to inspect the eaves of our toilet block, which were suspected to contain asbestos”. 

“However, the inspector brought wider concerns to our attention and has issued a prohibition notice,” Ms Moorfield said. 

Ms Moorfield did not return calls yesterday. 

The assistant principal also told The Standard he was unable to comment to the media. 

Earlier this year Ms Moorfield attacked Polwarth MP Terry Mulder for ignoring the plight of up to 500 students forced to use ailing classrooms. 

Mr Mulder also did not respond to calls about the school in his electorate. 

Many parents who collected their children from the nearby town hall were concerned about when the school would reopen. 

In her letter Ms Moorfield said buildings would stay shut “until WorkSafe are satisfied they are completely safe”.

“We do not know how long this will take.” 

Year 12 classes were relocated to Timboon Health Service, while an alternative learning program will be available at the town hall. Buses will run as normal. 

An environmental assessor is now completing an overall review of the school and will release findings soon. 

Fed-up parents formed a lobby group earlier this month and had planned a meeting for last night, which was cancelled following the evacuation. 

Group spokeswoman Debbie Dalziel said the meeting had been rescheduled for after the holidays “when we understand what transpires with the closure”. “I really hope that WorkSafe and the department and Terry Mulder and Minister Dixon get their heads together now and quickly get a response so the kids can get back to class.

“It’s very disruptive for the VCE kids. It’s shocking.”

Ms Dalziel said the evacuation was unexpected. “This is not what we want at all but there’s now a real sentiment that enough is enough.”

Corangamite mayor Chris O’Connor said it was a shame the situation had come to this.