WOLLONGONG ADVERTISER
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There have been 80 incidents of illegal dumping of asbestos in the Wollongong local government area in the past year, the city council has revealed.
The most recent incident happened at Mount Keira and was reported to the council on November 6.
The offenders have not as yet been caught and council officers are still investigating.
In 2013-14, the council spent $59,209 cleaning up asbestos-containing materials that had been dumped, using licensed contractors.
The alarming figures were revealed to the Wollongong Advertiser in response to questions asked about Asbestos Awareness Month in November.
Wollongong City Council is running an education campaign to warn DIY renovators of the dangers of exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations and maintenance.
One in three Australian homes contains asbestos and the fire-resistant silicate mineral is found in many homes and buildings across NSW built before 1987. If cut, drilled or water-blasted, non-friable asbestos can become airborne and if breathed in, can cause diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Non-friable asbestos is used in fibro, corrugated or compressed asbestos cement sheets, water, drainage and flue pipes and floor tiles.
Friable asbestos can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. It was not commonly used in the home but for industrial purposes, such as pipe lagging and asbestos cloth.
There are a range of fines and prison sentences for illegal dumping, ranging from $750 to $1 million and seven years' jail for individuals and $1500 to $5 million for corporations.
A council spokeswoman said residents who saw illegal dumping of asbestos should call 4227 7111 to report it.
The Whytes Gully waste depot at Kembla Grange does not accept asbestos materials and there are no licensed asbestos disposal facilities in the Wollongong LGA. The closest landfills that accept asbestos are at Lucas Heights and West Nowra.
The council spokeswoman said a small number of asbestos removal companies in Wollongong accept small amounts (under 10 square metres) of non-friable asbestos under strict packaging and transport conditions.
Shellharbour council accepts asbestos at its Dunmore landfill for transfer, while Kiama council does not.
A September 2013 Wollongong council report considered setting up an asbestos disposal facility at Whytes Gully. The council decided against it, citing the ability of external organisations to dispose of asbestos, the limited size of Whytes Gully and the health and safety controls and costs required.
The council's promotions co-ordinator for waste management, Fiona Netting, said the council was trying to raise awareness of asbestos by distributing brochures and posters to hardware stores, libraries and on bus shelters.
"I don't think most people are aware that asbestos is found in a number of areas around the home," Ms Netting said.
"Asbestos didn't stop being used totally until 2003 ... even the smallest amounts of asbestos can be dangerous. If you're not sure [it's asbestos] please get someone that knows how to assess it."
Illegal dumping was a big issue for health and the environment.
"You don't want to be walking around and find it dumped in the bush and breathing that in."
Information: http://www.asbestosawareness.com.au or
