Council arms itself against asbestos

Waverley Council is considering a new policy aimed at combating the threat of asbestos, with one in three Australian homes containing the hazardous fibres.

If approved, the initiative will include an annual budget of $15,000 established for dealing with asbestos emergency-related issues.

Councillor Miriam Guttman-Jones, Director of Nursing at the Eastern Suburbs Endoscopy Clinic in Bondi Junction, said asbestos was extremely harmful and can cause long-term diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.

“As soon as the [asbestos] fibres have become loose and airborne, that’s when the damage starts. It can take decades before you show any symptoms,” she said.

“That’s the really scary part about asbestos – it’s something that doesn’t kill you straight away but has long-term issues.”

Councillor Ingrid Strewe said the new policy would be a consolidation of Council’s existing guidelines surrounding asbestos and the safety hazard it presents.

“We’ve had this policy for eight years – this is an upgrade,” she said.

Prior to 1987, asbestos was commonly used in construction work because it was cheaper than conventional building materials, did not burn as quickly and was easier to work with.

But since December 31, 2003 any goods containing asbestos were prohibited from being used or supplied in Australia.

Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak said building work on properties with asbestos needed to heed measures to support safe handling and removal.

“Aboriginal victims [at] Baryulgil brought greater public attention to examine the dangers of asbestos and Waverley has dedicated a Bondi Beach plaque to a local hero – the first Aboriginal judge, Bob Bellear, who died of an asbestos-related disease,” he said.

Under the proposed new policy, Council will engage the services of an occupational hygienist in situations outside the expertise of Council’s environmental health officers.

Council will send a licensed removalist to address any risks posed by disturbed asbestos-containing materials, or issue a clean up or prevention notice to ensure the materials are correctly disposed of.

Ms Guttman-Jones said she was personally affected by mesothelioma and it was important for Council to minimise the public’s exposure to asbestos.

“I think this is a very poignant policy. Mesothelioma is a terrible disease – I’ve nursed them and I had my cousin’s husband die from mesothelioma. As a health professional and because it’s touched my family, I have very strong feelings about it and was very pleased that we’ve [discussed] the policy,” she said.