• Asbestos is a group of six types of naturally occurring, rock forming silicate minerals made up of thin, microscopic fibres or a mixture that contains one or more of these minerals.

• Asbestos-containing material (ACM) is any material or thing that, as part of its design, contains asbestos; there are friable and non-friable (or bonded) asbestos-containing materials.

• Friable asbestos is material that is in a powder form or that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry and contains asbestos.

• Non-friable (bonded) asbestos is material containing asbestos that is not friable asbestos, including material containing asbestos fibres reinforced with a bonding compound, such as cement.

• During the 1980s, asbestos materials started to be phased out in favour of materials made with no asbestos.
• All asbestos mining in Australia was stopped by 1983.
• Asbestos was completely banned in Australia from 31 December 2003.
• From 31 December 2003, the total ban on manufacture, use, reuse, import, transport, storage or sale of all forms of asbestos came into force.

• Friable asbestos products were used in residential, commercial and industrial settings beginning in the late 1800s.
• Asbestos cement (non-friable or bonded asbestos) materials were first imported to Australia around 1903 and were first manufactured here from around 1917 onwards.
• Many homes built before 1990 contain asbestos. 
• Asbestos can be anywhere inside or outside the home. (see diagram below)
• Across Australia, it is estimated that asbestos is in 1 in 3 homes.
• If a home was built before 1990 and hasn’t had a major renovation it is likely to contain asbestos.

• Asbestos was used in over 3,000 products.
• Asbestos products in Australian buildings are anywhere between 30–100 years old.
• This age means that asbestos products have reached end of product life and are degrading, increasing the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.
• It is estimated that 13 million tonnes of asbestos-containing materials were consumed in the Australian built environment. 
• It is estimated that more than 6 million tonnes of Australia’s asbestos legacy remains in the built environment. 
• Asbestos cement products make up around 95% of the remaining legacy asbestos in the built environment. 
• Link to ASSEA ‘Asbestos Product Guide’ website

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos.
• No threshold has been identified below which cancer will not occur.
• The risk of developing an asbestos-related disease increases with more exposures.
• The risk of developing an asbestos-related disease increases in proportion to the number of asbestos fibres a person breathes in during their life.
• Some people develop disease from minor exposure, and it is not possible to determine who will or will not get disease.
• The only way to eliminate the risk is to avoid exposure.
• If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos fibres at any time in your life please consider recording this information on the National Asbestos Exposure Register.

• Asbestos causes cancer.
• Asbestos also causes several life-threatening diseases.
• Exposure to asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, and cancer of the lung, ovary, and larynx.
• An estimated 4,000 Australians die annually from asbestos-related diseases. This is more than three times the annual road toll.
• A proportion of lung cancer deaths in Australia are attributable to past asbestos exposure.
• Approximately 700 people die annually from the aggressive cancer mesothelioma which is caused mainly by exposure to asbestos.
• There is no cure for mesothelioma.
• Mesothelioma has a long latency period with symptoms typically appearing decades after a person has been exposed to asbestos.
• The latency period can range from 20–60 years.
• Link to Asbestos support and advocacy groups

• The workplace exposure standard for asbestos in Australia is 0.1 fibre per millilitre of air over an 8-hour period.
• Employers must ensure worker exposure to airborne asbestos is eliminated. If it cannot be eliminated, it must be minimised as far possible and the exposure standard for asbestos must not be exceeded.
• All asbestos-containing materials are dangerous if damaged, disturbed or deteriorating.
• Under Work Health and Safety laws, an up-to-date asbestos register and management plan must be kept for all workplaces where asbestos is present or assumed to be present, unless that workplace is exempt because it is a domestic premise used for residential purposes.
• All exposure to airborne asbestos fibres which can arise from asbestos-containing materials that are damaged, disturbed or deteriorating must be avoided.

• The highest risk of exposure today is in the home/residential environment.
• In 2020, it was estimated that 1 in every 3 new mesothelioma cases was from non-occupational exposure. 
• In Australia there is an increasing number of cases of mesothelioma diagnosed that have an associated non-occupational exposure.
• Even if asbestos exposures were to cease completely, deaths from asbestos-related cancers would be expected to continue for the next four to five decades due to the latency period.
• See also ‘Asbestos – how to report a safety concern’

• You cannot see airborne asbestos fibres because they are invisible to the naked eye.
• You cannot tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it - only scientific testing of a sample can confirm the presence of asbestos.
•  Professionals who can assist with identifying asbestos include: 
  — occupational hygienists who have experience with asbestos 
  — licensed asbestos assessors and removalists 
  — individuals who have undertaken an accredited training course in asbestos identification.

An asbestos assessment (i.e. asbestos survey, asbestos audit, or asbestos inspection) can provide information to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres and reduce unexpected future costs when undertaking repairs or renovations.

An asbestos assessment usually begins with the assessor gathering background information, for example, information about the age of the property and details about its construction. The assessor then conducts a physical audit or visual inspection of the property, including internal and external areas that are accessible. Samples of suspect asbestos-containing materials may be taken for laboratory analysis.

Visit the Asbestos in NSW website.

It is strongly recommended that householders do not remove any amount of ACM and instead engage the services of licensed professionals to undertake the work. For a list of licensed asbestos removalists in NSW, you can visit the SafeWork NSW website: Licensed Asbestos Removalists in NSW.

WHS regulations state that a person conducting a business or undertaking who commissions the removal of asbestos at the workplace must ensure asbestos removal work is carried out only by a licensed asbestos removalist who is appropriately licensed to carry out the work unless specified in the WHS Regulations that a licence is not required.

There are two types of licences: Class A and Class B. The type of licence required will depend on the type and quantity of asbestos or ACM that is being removed at a workplace.

For more information on the relevant removal restrictions applicable in NSW, please visit the SafeWork NSW website: Asbestos Removal Restrictions in NSW.

The transport of commercial asbestos waste is covered under EPA legislation. In most states and territories, including New South Wales, tracking of asbestos waste above a certain threshold is required. Disposal sites are regulated by the EPA and local government regulations.

All jurisdictions track and require an environmental authorisation to transport asbestos waste interstate in accordance with the National Environmental Protection (Movement of Controlled Waste between States and Territories) Measure.

General requirements for transporting asbestos waste include:

• Asbestos-contaminated waste must be wetted down.
• All asbestos waste must be transported in a part of the vehicle that is covered and leak-proof.

For more information on the relevant tracking mechanism applicable in NSW, you can visit the NSW EPA website: NSW EPA Asbestos Waste Tracking. Additionally, for a list of licensed asbestos transporters, please refer to the SafeWork NSW website: Licensed Asbestos Transporters in NSW.

Asbestos waste must be disposed of in accordance with the relevant Environment Protection Authority (EPA) requirements. In Wollondilly Shire, asbestos waste can only be disposed of at a site licensed by the NSW EPA, and it must never be disposed of in the general waste system. Under WHS laws, asbestos waste must be disposed of as soon as practicable at a site authorised to accept asbestos waste. Under environmental laws, disposal facilities require an environment licence to accept asbestos waste. Criminal penalties apply for contravention of these laws.

Asbestos Disposal Information for Wollondilly Residents:

Facility Name: Bargo Waste Management Centre
Location: 280 Barkers Lodge Road, Bargo, NSW 2574
Google Map Link

Days and Hours of Operation:

• Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Asbestos Acceptance Conditions:

• Residential Requirements: Asbestos waste must be properly pre-packaged and labeled as asbestos. Residential disposal of asbestos waste is accepted.
• Transport and Packaging: Asbestos must be double-wrapped in 200-micron thick plastic sheeting or bags and sealed with adhesive tape. Ensure that it is transported in a covered and leak-proof vehicle compartment.
• Prior Notification: Residents must notify the facility in advance of bringing asbestos waste. Commercial operators are required to comply with NSW EPA’s tracking system requirements.
• Handling Requirements: Upon arrival, notify the facility staff about the asbestos waste. Follow any specific instructions provided by the facility to ensure safe disposal.

Quantity Limits:

• Residential: Small amounts of asbestos waste, such as a car boot load or a trailer load (up to 500 kg), are generally accepted.
• Commercial: Larger quantities will require compliance with additional handling and tracking requirements.

Disposal Costs:

• Residential: The disposal cost is approximately $250 per tonne for asbestos-containing material, subject to a minimum charge.
• Commercial: Charges may vary depending on the amount and specific packaging of the asbestos waste.

For more information or to confirm the details before your visit, please contact Bargo Waste Management Centre at (02) 4684 1238.

If you prefer to search for other licensed facilities, you can use the ASSEA’s asbestos waste facilities search tool: Search for Disposal Facilities.

Illegally disposed asbestos is a serious risk to public health and the environment. Wollondilly Shire Council plays a crucial role in responding to illegal asbestos disposal incidents by taking the following steps:

How Wollondilly Shire Council Responds to Illegal Asbestos Disposal:

1. Rapid Response: The council acts swiftly upon receiving information about illegally disposed asbestos. This ensures the risk is managed as quickly as possible.

2. Risk Assessment and ‘Makesafe’ Work: Council officers assess the area to determine the level of risk. Immediate steps are taken to secure the site and prevent further contamination or damage, including the implementation of necessary safety controls such as traffic management.

3. Site Clean-Up: The council organizes the clean-up of the affected area, ensuring all asbestos materials are safely removed and disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements.

4. Public Communication: The council communicates with residents and other stakeholders about the incident, including any necessary precautions they should take and updates on the clean-up process.

5. Air Monitoring: The council conducts air monitoring to ensure that asbestos fibres have not become airborne during the incident or clean-up process, safeguarding public health.

6. Clearance Inspections: After clean-up, the council undertakes clearance inspections to confirm that the area is free from asbestos contamination and safe for public access.

7. Investigation: The council conducts investigations to identify those responsible for the illegal disposal of asbestos. This can include reviewing surveillance footage, collecting witness statements, and liaising with other agencies.

Reporting Illegal Asbestos Disposal:

The public plays a vital role in helping Wollondilly Shire Council respond effectively to illegal asbestos disposal incidents. Residents can report incidents by:

• Phone: Calling the council directly at (02) 4677 1100 during business hours.
• Online Form: Submitting a report via the Wollondilly Shire Council's online form on their website.
• RID Online: Members of the public can also report illegal dumping, including asbestos, through the RID Online Public Reporting Tool, which is a state-wide initiative to combat illegal dumping.

By reporting illegal asbestos disposal, residents can assist the council in responding quickly to incidents and conducting thorough investigations to prevent future occurrences.