Council issues asbestos notice
Gosford Council has issued a notice to a Umina property owner to clean up an asbestos hazard after receiving complaints about renovations from a tenant occupying the house.
A council environmental health officer attended the site to investigate and issued a direction to the owner to ensure all damaged and exposed asbestos was covered or sealed and to have a licensed asbestos contractor remove all loose, damaged and exposed asbestos.
The tenant's mother, Ms Genevieve Rose, told Peninsula News that her brother, a builder, had found asbestos scattered around the house during the renovations.
She said: "There were no safety precautions taken, no safety wear or ventilation mask, no safety gloves and no warning to anyone who entered the property."
She said that she called the real estate agent to warn them.
The council's environmental health co-ordinator Mr Shannon McKiernan said: "If the owner doesn't comply with the notice of intent, an order will be served requiring them to do the work.
"If they still don't comply, Council will undertake the works at the owner's expense."
He said the council also had the option to proceed with court action.
The notice gave the owner seven days to secure the site and to engage an appropriately licensed contractor. It allowed additional time for the contractor to complete the work.
Mr McKiernan said a person could only do their own renovating work where the area of asbestos was under 10 square metres.
As a result of the incident, the council has announced it will partner with the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute as part of a week-long national campaign to highlight the dangers of asbestos related diseases caused by inhaling asbestos fibres while renovating or maintaining homes.
"Don't play Renovation Roulette" is the message that Gosford Council, the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute and the Asbestos Education Committee is sending to residents and ratepayers during national Asbestos Awareness Week which runs from November 26 to 30.
Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna said Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world.
This was because Australia has been ranked among the top consumers of asbestos cement products per capita.
"With almost every home built or renovated before the mid 1980s likely to contain asbestos in one form or another; the third wave of people affected by mesothelioma, one of the asbestos-related diseases, has recently become evident and will continue to rise unless we all start taking seriously the dangers of asbestos when renovating or maintaining our homes," said mayor Cr McKinna.
In the past, those affected by asbestos related diseases were exposed to raw fibres in the mining and manufacturing process (first wave), followed by workers who used asbestos products in the workplace (second wave).
The third wave of asbestos-related diseases predominantly affect people exposed to fibres during home renovations and maintenance specifically handymen and DIYers as well as family members present at the time.
"With the number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma as a direct result of exposure to asbestos during home renovations continuing to rise, it's vital that residents take the warnings seriously to protect themselves and their families," mayor Cr McKinna said.
The national campaign, supported by the Asbestos Education Committee, aims to change the way Australian's think about how they manage asbestos in and around the home.
Asbestos Education Committee chair Mr Peter Dunphy said whether a home is constructed of brick, fibro and weatherboard or has exterior cladding, asbestos can be found almost everywhere in and around homes built or renovated before the mid 80s.
"Most people can't tell whether building materials contain asbestos just by looking at them.
"Asbestos can be under floor coverings such as carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, eaves, garages, around hot water pipes, fences, extensions to homes, outdoor toilets and backyard sheds, it could be anywhere.
"Before commencing any home maintenance or renovation work, homeowners and renovators, particularly young couples and first home buyers excited about renovating their homes, need to learn about where they might find asbestos in the home and how best to manage it so they can protect themselves and their families from asbestos fibres.
"We want them to start thinking smart and safe by visiting asbestosawareness.com.au for information on managing asbestos in and around the home because it's not worth the risk," Mr Dunphy said.
During Asbestos Awareness Week, Australians are also invited to hold a Blue Lamington Drive to help raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos when renovating and vital funds to support the Asbestos Diseases Research Foundation and the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia.
Media Release, 19 Nov 2012
Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council
Media Statement, 15 Nov 2012
Shannon McKiernan, Gosford Council