BLUE SKY ASBESTOS

Brisbane City Council recycles kerbside bin waste into mulch, but if asbestos-containing materials are included, they contaminate the mulch, which is then distributed to parks, schools, and homes throughout the city. For many, asbestos-related diseases take 20 to 30 years to develop, or even as little as 10 years. If your child is 10 now, they could face serious health risks in the prime of their life. The council processes around 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes of green waste annually. Is it solely their responsibility to check for contamination?

Asbestos-containing materials are now between 30 to 100 years old and are deteriorating, including the matrix to which the asbestos was bonded. The older they become, the more likely they are to release harmful asbestos fibres.

“Asbestos cement roofs are particularly concerning, as they are in the poorest condition, having been directly exposed to years of sun, wind, rain and hail. Heavy rains can wash fibres into guttering, contaminating your garden beds, lawns and local stormwater systems....which ends up being spread through your neighbour during floods!

Please do not pressure wash for asbestos sheet roofs to try and maintain them. Talk to a professional about how they can be managed and/or removed.

Tragically, around 4,000 Australians die each year from asbestos-related diseases.“Our message this National Asbestos Awareness Week is for homeowners to engage asbestos professionals to test for asbestos before starting any renovation or DIY project. By knowing where asbestos is in your home, you will be able to take the right steps to protect yourself and your family from exposure and plan to safely remove it.”

The 2024-25 National Asbestos Awareness Campaign emphasizes the importance of being cautious when undertaking DIY projects, especially around Easter, a peak time for home renovations in Australia. Before starting any renovation, even something as simple as drilling a hole to hang a picture, it's crucial to ask if your house was built or renovated before 1990. If the answer is yes, there's a high chance it contains asbestos.

Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases globally, with an estimated 4000 deaths annually, which is more than double the national road toll. To ensure the safety of you and your family, it's recommended to get your home inspected and tested for asbestos before starting any renovation work. This process is quick and affordable.

Yes, in certain circumstances, removing asbestos from your property can indeed be a tax deduction. If the property is a rental or commercial property, or if part of your home is used as a place of business, you may be able to claim the costs of asbestos removal. This includes expenses for preparation and planning works (such as sampling, testing, and reporting), removal works, air monitoring, clearance certificates, updating asbestos registers and reinstating the affected parts of the property after removal works are completed.

In Australia, if you are selling a commercial property built before 31 December 2003, you are legally required to have an asbestos register and, if required an asbestos management plan. A targeted approach could potentially reduce your capital gains tax and make your property more attractive to buyers.

However, if the property is solely your residence and not used for income-generating activities, these costs are generally not deductible.

It's always best to consult with a tax professional or the ATO to understand how the rules apply to your specific situation

The answer is - An asbestos assessor plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and compliance when managing and removing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

They work in many varied & different sectors including but not limited to residential, commercial, industrial, mining, environmental, insurance and legal.

An asbestos assessor helps homeowners stay compliant with the law, identify and manage and/or remove any ACMs in a safe, compliant and efficient manner. They can also ensure that the homeowner engages with an appropriately licenced, experienced and insured asbestos removalists. Their typical services include:

·        Pre-Purchase Asbestos Inspections: Conduct a thorough asbestos survey prior to purchasing a property including sampling, NATA accredited testing and assessing the condition of ACMs. This is typically undertaken in areas like bathrooms, kitchens, roofs, ceilings, insulation, flooring. This enables the buyer to better understand the safety and cost implications of purchasing, renovating and occupying the property.

·        Provide expert independent advice: Advising homeowners looking to renovate and prospective buyers on the best course of action, whether that's leaving the ACMs undisturbed, encapsulating, or arranging for professional removal.

·        Assist with renovations or demolition: Helping homeowners meet legal requirements by identifying asbestos risks before work begins, understanding cost implications, engaging suitably qualified, experienced and insured removalists.

·        Issuing Clearance Certificates: Certifying that areas are safe after asbestos removal. As a minimum this involves a site inspection and can sometimes involve air-monitoring.

In some situations, it is a regulatory requirement for them to be independent from the asbestos removalists and in other situations it is not. It is always recommended that they are independent for your peace of mind.

The costs to engage an Independent Asbestos Assessor are typically saved by ensuring the management and/or removal of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) is undertaken in a compliant, safe and efficient manner and will better mitigate the health risks.

Please reach out if you have any queries.

The answer is – You can’t tell just by looking at it. A sample needs to be taken and carefully examined at a NATA accredited laboratory.

In Australia the peak use of asbestos in building materials was between the 1940s and 1980s. It started to be phased out in the 1980s, when health concerns started to be raised. It was largely stopped in residential construction in the early 1990s and wasn’t totally banned (in Australia) until December 31, 2003.

It was used in over 3000 products.

1. check their licensing & certifications.

2. check the contractor's experience and reputation.

3. check their adherence to safety & compliance regulations.

4. do they use the right equipment & techniques.

5. check their insurances.

6. ensure the scope is well defined.

7. ask for transparent costs and compare quotes; and

8. ensure that either you or the removalists has an independent asbestos assessor to check works are 100% satisfactory and the area can be reoccupied.