Thirty-seven workers were hospitalised and 300 more evacuated from the Harbourpark building in Argyle Street, Newcastle on March 30 2006, after toxic fume leak spread throughout the centre via air-conditioning systems.

Symptoms reported included eye irritation, breathing difficulties, nausea and headaches

Four units from the New South Wales fire brigades and 35 ambulance service officers in 15 vehicles responded to the incident at approximately 12.30 pm after several people began to feel nauseous. By 3.00 pm, specialist hazardous material firefighters declared the building safe and allowed workers back

An investigation by Work Cover was unable to identify the source of the fumes.