Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was commonly used in building materials for its strength, fire resistance and insulation. Australia phased out asbestos during the 1980s, with production stopping in 1987 and a complete ban introduced in 2003.
Asbestos materials, such as cement sheeting, pose minimal health risk if they remain undisturbed and in good condition. The risk comes when it is cut, damaged or removed, as this can release dangerous fibres. Homeowners should take care when renovating, carrying out maintenance, or removing asbestos products.
Urgent requests
If someone is cutting asbestos with power tools or high-pressure water blasting, or there is an imminent public health issue, please contact the City on 1300 422 664 to report your request. You can call this number 24-hours a day for urgent / high priority assistance.
- If a fence is made of cement sheeting, was installed before 1990 then it is highly likely to contain asbestos and should be treated as such.
- In most cases the condition is unlikely to be an immediate problem but these products need to be properly managed. 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
- using safety precautions when maintaining, repairing or removing sheets.
- If the fence is very badly damaged then removal is recommended, however, it is best for neighbours to negotiate between themselves to reach a solution on any fence issue/s.
- A useful tool is the guidelines provided by the Department of Commerce to help you understand the Dividing Fences Act 1961 (the Act) and outlines processes for neighbours to agree on the fence that divides their properties, to determine boundaries and to share the cost of construction and maintenance.
- The Act also enables the courts to deal with disputes that may arise over dividing fences. You can view the guidelines here.
- Any person handling and disposing of asbestos containing materials is required to comply with the requirements of the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992.
- It is generally recommended that a WorkSafe licensed asbestos removalist be used for asbestos removal.
- Contractors can be found in the Yellow Pages under Asbestos Removal.
- The City issues demolition permits to licensed asbestos removalists
- Fencing should be erected around the site.
- Contractors will remove asbestos from the dwelling prior to demolishing the building.
- Workers not using appropriate PPE is a WorkSafe matter and should be reported to WorkSafe directly.
- If removal of asbestos is not being done safely the City can investigate and take action.
What does the City do?
- 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
- requiring reasonable measures be used for the storage, maintenance, repair, removal, and disposal of material containing asbestos (reasonable measures are defined)
- Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) respond to concerns about the inappropriate condition, handling and disposal of asbestos containing materials.
- EHOs also assist customers to liaise with WorkSafe WA (1800 678 198 or wscallcentre@demirs.wa.gov.au) regarding inappropriate handling of asbestos on work sites.
Report
- To report an issue with asbestos, click the relevant button below.
- An officer will action within five working days, including contacting you to clarify the nature of the complaint, check on any possible safety risks for City staff and explain the complaint process.
- To allow the City to initiate a proper investigation, the following information must be provided when reporting the issue:
- Your contact details.
- Confirmed address / location of where the asbestos material is located.
- If you are unable to find the correct address when submitting the request, please contact us.
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