Lismore City Council is urging residents to act against the illegal dumping of asbestos, a problem that has surged since the 2022 natural disaster.
The call comes as National Asbestos Awareness Week, from 25 November to 1 December 2024, raises awareness of the ongoing dangers of asbestos across Australia.
Lismore City Council Regulatory Services Officer Stuart Thomson said the Council is investigating a significant case of asbestos dumping on Frank Street, South Lismore.
"It is one of two illegal dumping sites, totalling about 25 tonnes of asbestos, under investigation. These illegal activities pose serious health risks and cost ratepayers significant money to address," he said.
"The Frank Street incident is particularly concerning, and we are asking anyone who has information about recent bathroom renovations to come forward immediately."
Council spends significant resources investigating, collecting and safely disposing of illegally dumped asbestos to protect the environment and community. The risks of exposure to asbestos fibres, even from a single instance, can be fatal.
Currently, residents within the Lismore LGA pay $560 per tonne to dispose of asbestos at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery facility, while those outside the LGA pay $600.
Regarding the cost of waste fees, Mr Thomson also said there was a misunderstanding about fees for dumping asbestos at the facility.
"To put the cost into perspective, a kitchen, on average, would contain no more than 100kg of asbestos, which will cost a minimum of $60," he said.
Asbestos remains a hidden hazard in millions of Australian homes, particularly those built before 1990, poising both a health and environmental threat.
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg emphasised the dangers of asbestos.
"Asbestos is a deadly threat, and the rise in illegal dumping is alarming," he said.
"This week is a reminder to handle asbestos responsibly. There's no excuse for endangering others through unsafe practices."
Council is stepping up its efforts to combat illegal asbestos dumping.
Regulatory Services Officer Stuart Thomson highlighted the importance of proper disposal and the penalties for non-compliance.
"Dumping asbestos is not only illegal - it's extremely dangerous," he said.
"The risks of asbestos exposure, even at the smallest levels, are fatal. Council has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal disposal, and we will investigate and prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law."
"When taking asbestos to the waste facility, it must be wrapped in heavy-duty black plastic, sealed with tape, and placed into hazardous material bags."
Individuals face fines of up to $15,000 for a first offence, with corporations fined up to $30,000. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties. Maximum penalties can reach $1 million for individuals and $4 million for corporations.
Before 1990, asbestos was present in many building products, including sheeting, vinyl flooring, adhesives, insulation and downpipes.
Homeowners renovating older homes should assume asbestos is present and consult professionals.
If you have tested and identified only small areas of asbestos, Council offers a subsidised Household Asbestos Disposal (HAD) Kit for $30.
This kit allows for the safe removal of up to 10m² of bonded asbestos (approximately 2–3 sheets of fibro). Please note this cost does not include the disposal fee for the asbestos waste.
HAD Kits can be purchased from the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre or the Corporate Centre in Goonellabah.
If you remove more than 10m² of asbestos or any amount of friable (non-bonded) asbestos-containing material, you are legally required to employ a licensed asbestos removalist.
