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Asbestos Removal Kit For Home Renovators Launched

A kit to help homeowners identify and dispose of small amounts of asbestos exposed through home renovations was launched by the State Member for Eastern Victoria, Matt Viney, at the Moe Town Hall on Thursday.

By Latrobe City - 27th March 2007 - Back to News

The launch was in the presence of the State Coroner, Graeme Johnstone; MLC for Gippsland, Peter Hall; Member for Morwell, Russell Northe; and Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood.

The kit has been auspiced by Latrobe City Council and prepared by the Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support group (GARDS), along with the Department of Human Services, EPA, WorkSafe, the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council, the Victorian Waste Management Association and Council officers.

Latrobe City councillor Bruce Lougheed, said it is believed to be the first time such a comprehensive community resource for the removal of asbestos has ever been put together in Australia.

"The ‘Asbestos in the Home Removal Kit’ has been designed specifically for homeowners to minimise the risk to themselves, their family and neighbours posed by the escape of asbestos fibres into the air during small renovation projects. It contains all items necessary for the safer removal of asbestos containing materials," Cr Lougheed explained.

"One of the results of the many ‘home improvement’- type shows we see on television, such as ‘Hot Property’, ‘Backyard Blitz’ and ‘Better Homes and Gardens’, is that many householders are now carrying out small renovation projects by themselves.

"As they are doing so, many residents are coming across material containing asbestos, mainly in the form of asbestos sheeting for walls, but also in eaves, underlay, vinyl flooring and tiles, in flues, cladding, insulation, roof tiles and hot water services, as well as many other applications," Cr Lougheed said.

"Houses that utilised asbestos products in their construction - and there are many of these in Latrobe City - are now reaching an age where homeowners are renovating to improve their value or comfort levels. Most homes built before the mid 1980’s are likely to contain asbestos products in some form or other.

"Currently under state legislation, a home owner can remove as much asbestos from their home, without any qualifications, as long as they are not causing a public health nuisance.

"Latrobe City recognised that if ignorance surrounding the dangers posed by exposure to asbestos is not addressed, the health of our community is likely to decline, and as a consequence council has been working with numerous agencies community groups and commercial enterprises with an interest in asbestos issues to develop the kit," Cr Lougheed explained.

"While Latrobe City will continue to encourage homeowners to seek the services of a suitably qualified asbestos removalist, the kit and the instructional DVD allows residents who cannot access professional asbestos removal services to carry out a small asbestos removal job in a manner that reduces greatly the risk to themselves, their family and neighbours."

Cr Lougheed said the Latrobe City community is fortunate to have the Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support group, a group of hardworking volunteers dedicated to assisting victims of asbestos and educating the community; and acknowledged it was pleasing to see many of the volunteers at the launch.

Latrobe City not only owes a debt of gratitude to GARDS and all those involved in the committee that has developed the kit, but also the many other people and organisations who have assisted the committee in their work. They include Rodburn Industrial, DJW Productions, G & J Crosby Contractors, Hazcon and Veolia Environmental Services.

For further information on the asbestos removal kit, contact Peter Collins at Latrobe City Council, telephone 1300 367 700.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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