The NSW Government has launched a new $16 million asbestos plan and announced a two-year trial which will allow households to have asbestos waste picked up and disposed of for free.
From the funding, $9 million will be used to establish the household collection trial which is set to begin next year.
The NSW Asbestos Plan of Action is a key part of the Government’s response to the Chief Scientist’s report into asbestos in the waste stream.
“One in three houses built before 1990 contains asbestos – that’s why it’s important to make it cheaper and easier for NSW families to dispose of these materials,” said Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe.
“To avoid the looming waste crisis in NSW, we need to increase resource recovery and reduce barriers to safely disposing of problematic waste types, like asbestos.
“We’re acting upon recommendations to tighten the entire supply chain – making sure it is safer for workers, better for industry and trusted by the community.”
Illegal dumping is a major problem across the state costing councils millions of dollars each year to clean up.
The Government’s Asbestos Plan of Action identifies a range of responses to deal with asbestos in the waste supply chain, including stronger controls and training on work sites to protect workers and the waste stream, and a more robust supply chain to prevent contamination. Many of the changes also bring NSW into line with other states and territories.
“ADDRI supports patients and families affected by asbestos-related diseases every day, giving us a clear understanding of the devastating impact of asbestos exposure. That’s why we strongly support action to better protect workers and the broader community from this preventable risk,” said Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI) CEO, Kim Brislane.
“This suite of measures from the NSW Government will help raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos, reduce current and future exposure, and crucially, prevent more people in NSW from developing asbestos-related diseases.”
The Plan was developed through strong consultation including with SafeWork NSW, the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Institute, industry, workers and the NSW Asbestos Coordination Committee.
“This set of reforms has been more than 20 years in the making,” said Waste Contractors and Recyclers NSW Executive Director, Brett Lemin.
“WCRA welcomes a stronger, practical framework across the whole supply chain that will improve safety, provide greater certainty for industry and deliver better outcomes for the community.”
The 18-page Plan is now publicly available online: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/management-asbestos-recovered-material.
