ASBESTOS
North East Waste is working in collaboration with our seven Northern Rivers Councils to improve the safe identification and management of household asbestos by homeowners across the region.
Subsidised programs are in place to assist householders to:
i) Correctly identify asbestos material in their home, using a Household Asbestos Testing kit;
ii) Where bonded asbestos is identified (and in compliance with all health & safety guidelines for the safe removal of asbestos), safely remove up to 10m2 of of bonded asbestos using a Household Asbestos Disposal Kit.
The partial funding of Household Asbestos Testing & Disposal Kits, by NE Waste and your local Northern Rivers council (Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed), assists in improved health and safety and reducing the costs associated with handling asbestos in the home.
Northern Rivers Disaster Management
For advice on preventing or managing damaged household asbestos in disaster events.
Contact your local Council or visit:
GENERAL INFORMATION
How to report illegal dumping of asbestos
Who is Eligible
Testing Kits
(HAT)
Disposal Kits
(HAD)
Identifying asbestos
in your home
Landfills that accept
asbestos
Removing more than
10m2 of asbestos
Safe Removal
You are eligible for the kits if you meet the following criteria:
- You live in one of the following council areas - Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore City, Richmond Valley or Tweed Shire (HAT kits only)
- The kits are to be used at a property situated in the above council area where it was obtained.
- Commercial operators are not eligible
- The availability and subsidised cost of both the Household Asbestos Testing and Household Asbestos Disposal Kits varies from council to council, so contact your local council directly to confirm
- Household Asbestos Disposal Kits are only valid for the disposal of up to a maximum of 10m2 of Non-friable asbestos
- Household Asbestos Disposal Kits are NOT valid for the disposal of any quantity of friable asbestos or for bonded (non-friable) asbestos in quantities exceeding 10m2.
Illegal disposal of asbestos including into kerbside bins, can lead to fines of up to $1 million.
For safe and legal asbestos disposal options see ‘Landfills that accept asbestos’ section
Testing kits are available to residents for use at properties located in the Northern Rivers.
- Samples collected via the asbestos testing kits go directly to Australia Post
- Both the submission form and the signed declaration must be completed and posted with the samples. Results may not be provided if this is not completed.
- Samples can be taken from a couple of different areas in the house if asbestos is suspected.
Step by step demonstration of how to safely use your HAT kit (training video)
Your local Council (excluding Tweed Shire) is subsidising the cost of Household Asbestos Disposal Kits for the safe disposal of small household quantities (maximum of 10m2 ) of bonded asbestos.
The program seeks to improve work health and safety by insisting that the guidelines for the safe removal and disposal of bonded asbestos, as recommended by SafeWork NSW and the Environmental Protection Authority, are fully complied with.
The HAD kits are SafeWork NSW approved and contain the following items:
• 2 x P2 disposable masks with valve
• 2 x disposable type 5&6 coveralls (size XL)
• 2 x disposable shoe covers non slip sole
• 2 x pairs disposable black nitrile gloves
- 2 x pairs of safety glasses
- 1 x spray bottle
• 1 x roll heavy duty duct tape
• 1 x roll red/white Barrier Tape
• 1 x "Danger Asbestos" Label
• 2 x Pakaflex 700mm x 1100mm asbestos bags
• 2 x drop sheets
• Cable ties
For details on the cost of the kit, location for pick up and disposal of kits (click here)
Please contact the facility at least 24 hours before your arrival, as specific handling, transportation and quantity requirements may apply.
Step by step demonstration of how to safely use your HAD kit (training video)
Identifying Asbestos in your home
Did you know that one in three Australian homes contain asbestos? If your home was built before 1990 then products made from asbestos may be present.
‘Think twice about asbestos’ before you begin maintenance or renovations on your home. The attached diagram and fact sheet will assist you to identify the potential location of asbestos containing products in your home.
The safest way to find out if a product in your home does contain asbestos is to have it tested. SafeWork NSW maintains a list of Licensed Asbestos Assessors.
Household Asbestos Testing Kits (conditions apply) are available to residents for use at properties located in the North East Waste member council areas including: Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore City, Richmond Valley, Tweed Shire.
Further guidance on how to safely collect and send a sample to be tested for asbestos content is available at www.safeenvironments.com.au/asbestos-testing/
For free advice and guidance on asbestos-related issues, call the Asbestos Hotline on 1800 Asbestos (1800 272 378) and speak directly with the SafeWork NSW Customer Contact Centre
Not all landfills in our region are licensed to accept asbestos for disposal.
UPDATE: Changes to the following landfills will remain in place until further notice.
Lismore landfill - click here for up to date information on asbestos disposal
Wyrallah Road Landfill, LISMORE
313 Wyrallah Road, East Lismore
Monday to Friday: 7:30am to 3:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9am to 4pm
The landfill at Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre, is licensed to accept asbestos however there are specific requirements for delivery and disposal.
Further information is available at Lismore Recycle and Recovery Centre
To book in a load of asbestos (Mon to Fri only)
Ph. 6625 0500
CONTACT COUNCIL
Nammoona Landfill, Casino
Dargaville Drive, Casino
Monday – Sunday 8.30am to 4.30pm
The landfill at the Nammoona Waste an Resource Recovery Centre, is licensed to accept asbestos however there are specific requirements for delivery and disposal. Further information is available at Nammoona Waste & Resource Recovery Centre
To book in a load of asbestos
Ph. 6662 6580
Loads must be booked in at least 24 hrs in advance.
Kyogle Landfill, KYOGLE
Runnymede Road, Kyogle
Monday – Fri: 7.30am to 12pm
Sat –Sun: 9am to 4pm
The Kyogle Landfill facility is licensed to accept asbestos however there are specific requirements for delivery and disposal. Further information is available at: Kyogle Landfill
Only asbestos from Kyogle LGA residents will be accepted
To book in a load of asbestos
Ph. 6632 3002
Grafton Regional Landfill, GRAFTON
704 Armidale Road, South Grafton
Monday – Friday: 7am to 4pm
Sat : 8.30am to 1pm Sun: 10.30am to 1pm
The Grafton Regional Landfill is licensed to accept asbestos however there are specific requirements for delivery and disposal. Further information is available at: Grafton Regional Landfill
To book in a load of asbestos:
Ph. 6643 0888 - (Mon – Fri 8am – 2pm)
Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre, TWEED
Ledday’s Creek Road, Stotts Creek
Monday – Friday: 7am to 3.45pm
Saturday - Sunday: 9am to 3.45pm
The Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre is licensed to accept asbestos, however there are specific requirements for delivery and disposal. Further information is available at: Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre
Only asbestos from Tweed Shire residents will be accepted
To book in a load of asbestos (Mon - Fri 7am - 2:30pm only)
Ph. 6670 2400
Lismore City
Richmond Valley
Kyogle
Tweed Shire
Click tabs for more info
Five of the landfills in the northern rivers accept asbestos from residents within their own council area. Only Lismore and Grafton are able to accept asbestos from outside of their own shire (additional fees may apply).
Ballina and Byron landfills are NOT licensed to accept asbestos. Residents from these shires should contact Lismore Council to enquire about safe asbestos disposal.
General Conditions for accepting asbestos at landfills:
- Asbestos must be booked in before arriving at the landfill gate. Phone numbers and further information are listed for each of the region’s licensed landfills above;
- Contact the facility at least 24 hours before your arrival, as specific handling, transportation and quantity requirements may apply;
- Asbestos must be double wrapped in heavy duty plastic and secured with tape so the load is completely contained. All safety gear used in the process of removing asbestos must be enclosed within the package;
- Loads that arrive incorrectly wrapped may not be accepted;
- The wrapped packages must be small enough to be handled by one person without damaging the plastic wrap;
- For further information, contact your council directly or visit www.asbestossafety.gov.au or www.safework.nsw.gov.au
Removing more than 10m2 of asbestos
If more than 10 square meters (approximately 2 – 3 sheets of fibro) or 100kgs of bonded asbestos containing material requires removal, it must by law, be done by a licenced asbestos removalist.
For an up to date list of licenced asbestos removalists visit SafeWork NSW Licence holders
Quantities of asbestos greater than 10 square meters or 100kgs are also required to be tracked and reported to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) via Waste Locate
Less than 10m² of bonded asbestos material can legally be removed by anyone, however penalties may be incurred if the correct safe work procedures are not followed. It is therefore strongly recommended that all asbestos removal work be conducted by a licenced removalist
Any amount of friable (non bonded) asbestos can only be removed by those licenced to do so.
SafeWork NSW is an excellent resource, which provides information about asbestos in the home and workplace including links to safe working techniques and responsibilities.
Important:
All asbestos remains the property of the owner until it is deposited at a landfill licenced to accept asbestos waste (see ‘Landfills that accept asbestos’)
Always request a copy of the disposal receipt from the licenced removal contractor when the job is complete. Council may require you to produce these receipts as proof of proper disposal.
Fines up to $5000 or prosecution, with penalties up to $1 million apply for incorrect disposal or illegal dumping of asbestos.
There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres so any time materials containing asbestos might be disturbed through renovation activities it is vital that proper safety procedures are followed. This includes even for very minor procedures such as drilling holes and sanding in preparation for painting.
When working in and around the home or renovating, if in doubt, assume you are dealing with asbestos and take safety seriously.
To find a licenced asbestos removalist in your are visit:
www.safework.nsw.gov.au/asbestos-and-demolition-licence-holders
GUIDES: ASBESTOS HANDLING & SAFETY
Other useful information is available at:
www.asbestossafety-homeowners.com.au
www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/asbestos
www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/australia/
Asbestos Safety for householders and home renovators: is a Commonwealth Government Guide which provides information about where you might find asbestos, the laws that relate to asbestos management and removal and how to protect yourself, your family and your neighbours from exposure to harmful asbestos fibres.
IT IS ILLEGAL TO
Put asbestos waste in your kerbside bins. It is dangerous for council staff and can contaminate otherwise recyclable waste streams
Reuse, recycle or illegally dump asbestos products or asbestos contaminated waste
Put asbestos in an uncovered skip bin or skip bin not approved to hold asbestos
Call the NSW EPA Environment line on 131 555.
:: Penalties for breaking the law ::
Fines of up to $7,500 (individual) and $15,000 (company) apply for doing the wrong thing with asbestos waste. Penalties of up to $1,000,000 apply if the matter is heard in court.
The EPA or local councils can also issue clean-up notices and prevention notices, which require landowners and/or polluters to address pollution incidents. If served with a clean-up notice, the polluter must pay for the cost of cleaning up and safely disposing of the waste.
For further information on Illegal Dumping in the Northern Rivers visit: www.illegaldumping.com.au
THINK TWICE ABOUT ASBESTOS
If more than 10 square meters or 100kgs of bonded asbestos containing material requires removal, it must by law, be done by a licenced asbestos removalist. Quantities of asbestos greater than 10 square meters or 100kgs are required to be tracked and reported to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) via Waste Locate
Less than 10m² of bonded asbestos material can legally be removed by anyone, however penalties may be incurred if the correct safe work procedures are not followed.
It is strongly recommended that all asbestos removal work be conducted by a licenced removalist
Any amount of friable asbestos can only be removed by those licenced to do so.
Asbestos in NSW and SafeWork NSW are both excellent resources, which provide information about asbestos in the home and workplace including links to safe working techniques and responsibilities.
If you need more information about removing asbestos safely contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or call the asbestos hotline on 1800 ASBESTOS (1800 272 378).
This project is made possible with the assistance of:
