Lower Hunter homeowners urged to take up free asbestos testing

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lower Hunter residents are being urged to take advantage of free asbestos testing currently being offered for the next 30 days after loose-fill asbestos was found in a Glendale home.

On Monday the NSW Government announced its decision to expand the $278 million state-wide taskforce targetting loose-fill asbestos.

Loose-fill asbestos is raw crushed asbestos (unlike bonded products), which in the 1960s and 70s was installed as ceiling insulation in an unknown number of NSW homes. Over time, hazardous airborne fibres can move from the ceiling into living spaces. Earlier experiences in both NSW and the ACT have demonstrated that simply removing loose-fill asbestos from a ceiling cavity does not effectively remove the hazard.

NSW Fair Trading Executive Director Peter Dunphy said homes found to contain loose-fill asbestos do still have options available.

"This includes having your home purchased at market value by the Government as if it didn't contain asbestos.

"Our number one focus is removing this hazard from the community, while also protecting the biggest investment most of us will make in our lifetimes, the family home," Mr Dunphy said.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said there are fears of more homes containing loose asbestos due to the number of older houses in the area.

Free testing for loose-fill asbestos is available in Greater Newcastle, including Maitland City, Cessnock City, Port Stephens, Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie City local government areas.

For more information and to register for testing click here.

Image source: ABC news.

Newcastle Councillor Cops Fine after Trying to Dump Asbestos

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle councillor, Allan Robinson has got off lightly after failing to register a load of asbestos waste to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

The EPA fined Councillor Robinson $750 for transporting 640 kilograms of asbestos waste from a demolition site in Elermore Vale to Raymond Terrace - it's a requirement in NSW that any asbestos load weighing more than 100 kilograms is registered on the EPA's WasteLocate system.

The WasteLocate online system enables the EPA to monitor the waste's lawful disposal. It helps the environment watchdog track loads of asbestos that pose potential risks to the community and the environment.

The maximum penalty for not registering asbestos dumps with the EPA is $11,000 for an individual and up to $22,000 for a company.

Newcastle Councillor Allan Robinson Picture smh.com.au

Lake Macquarie combatting land contamination

BY MICHAEL COOK

After accommodating the Pasminco Cockle Creek Lead Smelter for over 100 years, Lake Macquarie City Council are updating their contaminated land management policy to deal with the continued fallout.

Lead contamination has been a constant problem in the area because of the smelter but the policy is also in place to deal with all types of contamination including asbestos and hydrocarbon pollution.

A Lead Expert Working Group has been advising Council on the most important changes to the policy to bring it in line with current legislation.

Lake Mayor Kay Fraser says it is important to be a step ahead to deal with contaminated land in the area.

"We're on the front foot making sure our policy is updated and ensuring our community is aware of what we're doing.

"We have encouraged our community to be involved along the way hence why we've had a number of working groups working closely with us," she said.

Old site of the Cockle Creek lead smelter

Heddon Greta Skip Bin Company Hit with Hefty Fine

BY JESSICA ROUSE

They've only been in operation for six months, but already a Heddon Greta skip bin company has been hit with a hefty fine for illegally dumping waste.

Needa Skip Bin was fined $15,000 for taking 12 loads of waste to a property in Keinbah near Kurri Kurri  - using it to fill depressions in the land.

The waste included bricks, masonry and concrete.

It was also found that they burnt timber and asbestos on the property.

The Environmental Protection Authority has also ordered the company to remove the waste from the property as well as pay the fine.

Workers Feared Exposed To Deadly Fibres At Kooragang Chemical Plant

BY IAN CROUCH

SafeWork NSW is undertaking an investigation following claims workers at the Orica ammonium nitrate plant at Kooragang Island have been exposed to asbestos fibres.

Unions say dozens of workers have been exposed to the potentially deadly fibres in one of the chimney stacks while carrying out an overhaul of the plant.

The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union claims workers were not made aware of the danger and were not issued with the proper protective equipment while working in a confined space.

The plant was embroiled in controversy when a plume of toxic hexavalent chromium drifted over Stockton during a similar overhaul in 2011.

The Orica Chemical Plant On Kooragang Island Picture: australianmining.com.su