Asbestos
Asbestos is the generic term for a number of fibrous silicate minerals. Products made from asbestos cement - a bonded asbestos material - include fibro sheeting (flat and profiled) guttering and downpipes, as well as other pipes for water, drainage or flues, corrugated roofing sheets, roofing shingles and guttering.
On 1 July 2024 Southern Downs Regional Council rolled out important updates to its Asbestos Acceptance Criteria as part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring the safe and compliant disposal of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) at its waste management facilities. Read the full Media Release here. For detailed information, download the one-page At a Glance: Asbestos Disposal Guidelines fact sheet (PDF 1.1MB).
Asbestos is a type of building material used in the building industry between the 1940s and late 1980s. Asbestos products were widely used because they were durable, fire resistant and had good insulation properties.
The manufacture and use of asbestos products was banned nationally from 31 December 2003 following the discovery of associated health risks. This ban applies to manufacture, supply, storage, sale, use, reuse, installation and replacement of asbestos.
Asbestos is managed and controlled in Queensland by 10 main statutes and two codes of practice. These are administered by state government agencies and local councils.
The Asbestos website created by the Queensland Government contains practical guidance for asbestos workers and removalists, trades and contractors, and homeowners and renovators.
Asbestos Acceptance Criteria
Download the one-page At a Glance: Asbestos Disposal Guidelines fact sheet (PDF 1.1MB).
Listed below is the Asbestos Acceptance Criteria that applies for the disposal of ACM at Council’s waste facilities:
- ACM is only accepted at the Warwick Central Waste Management Facility (190 Old Stanthorpe Road, Warwick) and Stanthorpe Waste Management Facility (94 Rifle Range Road, Stanthorpe). ACM is not accepted at any other Southern Downs Regional Council waste facility;
- A Council Asbestos Disposal Form is required to be completed for all loads;
- Only commercial customers on approval from the Gatehouse Operator can dispose of their waste directly into the landfill at the Warwick Waste Management Facility. The approval will be based on the condition that the vehicle has internal tipping capabilities and the waste meets all of the disposal criteria;
- From 1 July 2024 all Commercial loads going to landfill require a booking to be completed minimum one business day prior to disposal at the Warwick Waste Facility either in person or over the phone on 0746613081. From 1 July 2024 a reduced disposal weight for ACM Disposal of one (1) tonne and reduced disposal hours of Monday – Friday 8am - 3pm will apply.
- Stanthorpe and Warwick Waste Facilities accept a maximum of 175kg or less per transaction into the asbestos bin on-site. Note- Stanthorpe Waste Facility only has an asbestos bin, and therefore the maximum quantity per transaction at the Stanthorpe Waste Facility is 175kg or less;
- Material must be wet down, double wrapped or appropriately sealed, and clearly labelled;
- ACM will only be accepted if packaged in such a way that it can be reasonably unloaded without rupturing;
- The practice of unwrapping asbestos packages, unloading uncovered asbestos and then re wrapping asbestos onsite is not permitted;
- Any fibro or unknown material will be treated as ACM (the only exemption is if the Gatehouse Operator can be absolutely certain the material is not ACM, for example, by questioning the customer and complete sentences being visible on new product advising the material is not ACM);
- ACM material will only be accepted at the facilities when a trained staff member is available to supervise the disposal;
- All disposal must be undertaken under the direction of the Gatehouse Operator and Resource Recovery and Transfer Station Supervisor and/or Landfill Leading Hand;
- Asbestos receipt must comply with Council’s ‘Asbestos Receipt and Operations Procedure’; and
- Asbestos must be transported in compliance with regulated waste tracking requirements:
- All commercial loads require a Waste Transport Certificate regardless of weight;
- For all loads greater than 175kg any transporter (domestic or commercial) is required to have an Environmental Authority for the transport of regulated waste;
- All domestic loads greater than 250kg require a Waste Transport Certificate.
Fees and Charges
- If a Commercial load doesn’t comply with the acceptance criteria the load will be subject to additional charges. The load will be charged the applicable asbestos disposal fee; in addition to the management fee for not complying with the acceptance criteria.
- If a Domestic load doesn’t comply with the acceptance criteria the load will attract the management fee.
See Council’s website for current fees and charges.
Further Information
If you have any queries relating to the disposal of asbestos, please discuss with the staff at the Warwick or Stanthorpe Waste Management Facilities. Alternatively, contact a member of Council’s Waste Team on 1300 697 372. Council appreciates your assistance in ensuring the waste facilities are operated in a safe manner.
