Port Stephens Council has swiftly moved to allay community concerns of possible asbestos material found in the Donald Street carpark that is currently under demolition.
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The move comes as the council also reaffirms its strong protocols and procedures on the safe removal of material containing asbestos following a statewide end to expensive disposal fees and an increase in safe disposal areas.
The carpark, which was built in 1991, was closed to the public in November 2014 after independent assessment found structural damage to be present. Demolition of the structure began late last month.
In response to a resident's concerns about the possibility of asbestos in the concrete carpark, a council spokesperson said: "No. Council maintains a register of all the known asbestos sites in the LGA."
"All works being carried out on the site are to standard procedures and protocols ... there are standard controls in place should we encounter anything."
In the same week the council spokesperson welcomed the announcement from the Local Government NSW to end expensive asbestos removal fees, which it is hoped, will curb illegal dumping of the hazardous material.
"We welcome the removal of any barrier to the lawful disposal of asbestos. Our data shows the primary reason for those who illegally dump asbestos is the cost," the council spokesperson said.
"Luckily in Port Stephens, we have relatively low levels of asbestos waste dumped compared to other areas. Fines depending on the exact offence and can be as high as $15,000 which serves as a strong deterrent."
Donald Street demolition works on November 11, 2019:
The Newline Road landfill site in Raymond Terrace, operated by Suez, is the Port's only site for asbestos disposal.
The council spokesperson said that the operator, Suez, required advanced bookings for its disposal and that the asbestos had to be double plastic wrapped.
LGNSW president Linda Scott said illegal dumping of asbestos was a scourge for many councils, exacerbated by restrictive regulations and levy fees that made it costly to do the right thing.
"LGNSW has been calling on government to remove the levy from small amounts of asbestos waste since it was introduced in 2008, and we're really delighted our advocacy has delivered this great result," Cr Scott said.
"Ever since the government introduced the levy councils have seen a noticeable spike in illegal dumping of asbestos as well as other waste. This is a major cost for councils which have the task and bear the cost of safely cleaning it up - and most importantly, it poses a serious health risk to communities."
Cr Scott said changes to asbestos waste regulations meant disposing of up to 250 kilograms of appropriately separated and wrapped asbestos waste at an approved facility would no longer attract landfill levies.
"Fines have jumped from $44,000 for corporations and $22,000 for individuals illegally dumping asbestos to $2 million for corporations and $500,000 for individuals."