City of South Perth - Report Asbestos Issues

Report Asbestos Issues

Reporting incorrect asbestos handling.

Last updated on: 11 November 2023

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Asbestos information

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was commonly used in building materials due to its durability, fire resistance and insulation properties. Manufacturing of all asbestos products ceased in 1987.
The most common product used in residential properties is asbestos cement. Asbestos cement products typically have a lower asbestos content.
Asbestos cement products pose little risk to health when they are in good condition and undisturbed. However, homeowners must take precautions when removing the products, renovating or doing maintenance work.
In Australia, the use of asbestos was phased out in the manufacture of building products through the 1980s and completely banned in 2003.

If a fence is made of cement sheeting and was installed before 1990, it is highly likely to contain asbestos and should be managed as such.
Good management of your fence includes:
maintaining fence in good condition,
removal of the fence if it has deteriorated or become damaged,
keeping sheeting panels intact and
using safety precautions when maintaining, repairing or removing sheets.
If the fence is very badly damaged then removal is recommended. Neighbours need to negotiate between themselves to reach a solution on any fence issue.
The Department of Commerce offers tools to help you understand the Dividing Fences Act 1961 (the Act) and processes for neighbours to agree on the fence that divides their properties, determine boundaries and share the cost of construction and maintenance.
Any person handling and disposing of materials containing asbestos is required to comply with the requirements of the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992.
A WorkSafe licensed asbestos removalist must be used for asbestos removal over 10 square metres in total or any amount of friable asbestos.

The City regulates asbestos through the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992 (HAR). Important features of the HAR include:
prohibition (with exemptions) of the sale, supply or use of asbestos cement products and
requiring reasonable measures be used for the storage, maintenance, repair, removal, and disposal of material containing asbestos (reasonable measures are defined).
The City's Environmental Health Officers respond to concerns about the inappropriate condition, handling and disposal of materials containing asbestos.
Officers also assist customers to liaise with WorkSafe regarding inappropriate handling of asbestos on work sites.

Most people can't tell whether building materials contain asbestos just by looking at them
Only scientific testing of a sample of material by an accredited National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) asbestos testing laboratory can confirm the presence of asbestos.
For a NATA Lab List visit the NATA website or call 1800 621 666.

It is recommended that you contract a WorkSafe licensed asbestos removalist.
If you want to remove less than 10 square metres of bonded asbestos yourself, find out more about asbestos – maintenance, removal and renovations at home.

You are encouraged to provide your contact details when raising this request, to ensure a proper investigation can be completed.

If you have concerns regarding the inappropriate condition, handling or disposal of asbestos, please report it below.
An officer will action within five (5) working days, including contacting you to clarify the nature of the complaint, check on any possible safety risks for City staff and explain the process.

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