Council notes success of Asbestos Moratorium

27 Feb 2019 8:52 PM -

Leeton Shire Council noted the report provided on the Asbestos Moratorium conducted by Council between 1 October and 31 December 2018.

An extensive public awareness campaign was undertaken with the moratorium advertised through social media and media releases. Council staff constructed a managing asbestos safely flyer which was distributed to 6,000 shire residents identifying asbestos in the home and the safe removal legislation. A new asbestos pit was constructed at the landfill site which had the capacity to address the demand.

Waste and Recycling Coordinator Guy Retallick stated in his report to Council that it was identified by Council staff that a number of structures around the Leeton Shire contained asbestos and therefore presented a potential safety risk, particularly for children who are unaware of the danger.

“It was considered appropriate for Council to encourage the owners of these structures to dispose of asbestos properly by providing an incentive to do so. A moratorium on asbestos disposal fees on all Leeton Shire properties for a period of 3 months was offered to promote the removal and disposal of asbestos across Leeton Shire.”

“A total of 85 residents utilised the asbestos moratorium with 185.52 tonnes of asbestos disposed correctly at the Leeton landfill site. This is a significant increase compared to the 68.9 tonne disposed of for the same period in 2017.”

It is considered that the moratorium provided an opportunity for residents to dispose of asbestos safely unlike other unsafe methods of disposal which may have taken place previously.

Council also endorsed at its February Meeting that it will provide a bi-annual asbestos moratorium to provide the community with a safe and secure environment to correctly dispose of asbestos materials at the Leeton Landfill.