No further positive results in asbestos inspection program

Issued: 4 Apr 2024

Queensland’s environmental regulator, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), has finalised its proactive asbestos sampling and inspection program, with only two of 36 sites sampled having positive detections in end products.

DESI identified asbestos in products leaving the site at two facilities, and asbestos on site, but not in end product, at four other waste facilities.

DESI and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) have engaged with the operators of these sites to encourage, and in some cases require, improvements in the identification, management and disposal of asbestos.

DESI will continue to educate waste operators on their responsibilities and obligations under legislation regarding the appropriate management and disposal of asbestos.

This will include industry-facing guidance material and further engagement with industry associations to identify and address risk areas.

DESI, as the state’s environmental regulator, will also continue its routine risk-based monitoring of the sites it regulates. Management practices around identification, segregation and disposal of asbestos will be a key focus area for future inspections at waste facilities.

Overall, the fact that only two sites had positive detections demonstrates the majority of waste operators are putting in place appropriate controls to manage any asbestos contamination and Queensland does not have a widespread issue with asbestos in mulch.

It is also an important reminder for members of the public to ensure they are appropriately disposing of any asbestos materials. You can find more information online, including practical guidance for homeowners and renovators at: www.asbestos.qld.gov.au.

Background

The two sites where positive detections in end product were found included NuGrow Ipswich and Emu Park transfer station.

Following the detection of mulch in a stockpile at the Emu Park transfer station, the environmental regulator issued Livingstone Shire Council with an emergency direction on 13 March.

Council acted quickly to fence off and remove the contaminated stockpile and undertook proactive steps to track down any residents who received mulch from facility.

The environmental regulator will continue to monitor the Emu Park site until the contaminated material has been cleared or disposed of and all requirements of the emergency direction have been met.

NuGrow Ipswich has now complied with all of the requirements of the emergency direction that was issued following the detection of asbestos in February. The department will now seek to finalise the emergency direction issued to NuGrow.