November 16, 2021

November is Asbestos Awareness Month and Gunnedah Shire Council is supporting the annual campaign to warn homeowners, renovators, tradies, property managers and farmers of the dangers of asbestos.

With one-third of Australian homes containing asbestos, this year the Asbestos Awareness campaign is focussing on renovating safely, after an increase in home renovations being undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council Waste Manager Sheridan Cameron said there is no safe level of exposure, and waste materials containing asbestos must be disposed of properly.

“Prior to commencing work, renovators should complete an asbestos safety check and may need to engage a licenced removalist,” Mrs Cameron said.

“To support residents to identify asbestos-containing material and assist with safe management or removal, Northern Inland Regional Waste are providing free Household Asbestos Testing Kits.

“These kits are available for collection at the Council Administration Building in Elgin Street and from the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility on Quia Road. Kits are limited to one per household and are not designed for commercial use.

“For those needing to dispose of asbestos at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility, you must arrange a booking by calling (02) 6742 3943. Anyone transporting and disposing of 100kg of asbestos waste in NSW must use the Waste Locate tracking system and have a valid consignment number.”

For further information and to view Gunnedah Shire Council’s Asbestos Management Policy, visit https://www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/environment/public-environmental-health/asbestos.

Caption: The Asbestos Awareness Campaign is running throughout November.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.