Urgent attention required: SAFE ASBESTOS REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL

Holroyd City Council has submitted a list of 10 motions to be discussed at the Local Government Association of NSW (LGA) Annual Conference held in Tamworth (25-28 October 2009) Conference to discuss and set policy for the coming year.

A motion which requires urgent attention and seeks the support of the other delegates representing Councils across NSW is that Council would like to see the Asbestos Removal and State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) urgently investigated and upgraded to address health issues.

The motion is as follows: “That the Local Government Association make representation to the Premier and Minister for Planning that the issue of asbestos removal under the SEPP (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 needs to be investigated and addressed by Government as a matter of urgency.”

Mayor Clr John Perry said, “Council has deep concerns that with improper treatment of asbestos materials residents are at high risk of developing life threatening lung cancer – this issue needs to be urgently addressed before more lives are destroyed.”

The State Government’s recent Exempt and Complying Development SEPP has increased the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres. The SEPP permits demolition of houses containing asbestos material with inadequate measures for safe removal and disposal, as follows:

- Owner builders will not be protected by requirements for safe removal

- Appropriate disposal of asbestos will not be ensured by a Waste Management Plan as it is currently

- Covering asbestos material will conceal it from future owners

- Neighbours will not be adequately notified prior to demolition of asbestos material as so will be exposed to fibres.

The SEPP misleads demolishers into believing they merely need to meet set requirements, when in fact they still have a duty of care to neighbours. The new legislation supersedes the Holroyd City Council Policy which ensured the safe demolition and removal of asbestos, also increasing the potential for litigation placing various parties at risk, including the State Government.

For more information please contact Council’s Manager Strategic Planning on 9840 9803.

For further information contact the Media Relations and Promotions Manager on 9840 9717, 0416 105 029 or email web2@holroyd.nsw.gov.au.