Asbestos

Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) were widely used in building products across NSW and can pose serious health risks if disturbed during renovation, demolition, maintenance, or after fire damage.

When asbestos may be present

Residential properties:
If your home was built or renovated before 1990, it is likely to contain asbestos.
Commercial and non-residential properties:
If built or refurbished before 2004, asbestos may be present and is required to be identified and managed under NSW legislation.

If you are unsure, treat suspect materials as asbestos unless confirmed otherwise by a licensed asbestos assessor.

Where asbestos may be found

Asbestos may be present in:

Fibro wall and ceiling sheeting
Bathrooms, kitchens and laundries
Roofs, eaves and gables
Vinyl floor tiles and backing
Fences, garden edging, guttering and drainage pipes

Asbestos cannot be identified by sight, smell, or colour alone.

Legal requirements

Asbestos removal must be carried out by licensed removalists (SafeWork NSW)
SafeWork NSW must be notified at least 5 days before licensed asbestos removal work begins
Asbestos waste must be transported and disposed of at a licensed waste facility
Illegal dumping or burying asbestos is prohibited and may result in penalties

Important

There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos
Asbestos materials in good condition and left undisturbed are generally low risk
If damaged or disturbed, stop work immediately and seek advice from a licensed asbestos professional

Asbestos – Who to Contact

Responsibility for asbestos in NSW depends on the type of activity and the level of risk involved.

Step 1.Contact SafeWork NSW:

The asbestos relates to removal work, higher-risk materials, or commercial activities:

asbestos removal involves more than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos, or
any amount of friable asbestos is present (friable asbestos is material that can be easily crumbled or reduced to dust when dry), or
asbestos removal is being undertaken by, or on behalf of, a builder, contractor or business

SafeWork NSW regulates licensed asbestos removal, work practices and safety requirements.

SafeWork NSW
Phone: 13 10 50
Website: asbestos.nsw.gov.au

Step 2.Contact the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA):

For issues relating to asbestos waste or pollution:

Illegal dumping of asbestos
Concerns about the transport or disposal of asbestos waste

The EPA regulates waste transport, disposal, and pollution incidents.

NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)

Phone: 131 555

Website: www.epa.nsw.gov.au

Step 3.Contact The City of Coffs Harbour:

For local public health and safety concerns:

Unsafe structures or immediate public health risks
Illegal dumping of asbestos in the local area
Fire-damaged properties that need to be made safe

The City responds to public health risks associated with asbestos in the local area, including investigating complaints, assessing community risks, and coordinating actions to make sites safe where required.

The City of Coffs

By phone: 02 6648 4000

By email: coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au

In person: Customer Service Centre
Yarrila Place, Level 1, 27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour NSW Australia 2450
Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 3.30pm

For a full list of asbestos-related agencies, see: Member and affiliated agencies | Asbestos

Renovating or Demolishing

Step 1.Before starting any work:

Less than 10 m² of non‑friable asbestos may be removed by a homeowner or tradesperson; however, SafeWork NSW strongly recommends using a licensed removalist
More than 10 m² of non‑friable asbestos, or any amount of friable asbestos, must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist
All asbestos removal work must comply with the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice

If you find asbestos

Asbestos that is in good condition and left undisturbed generally does not pose a significant health risk. However, you should never cut, drill, sand, or otherwise disturb materials suspected to contain asbestos.

If you are unsure whether a material contains asbestos, arrange testing with a

Licensed asbestos assessor
Occupational hygienist
Environmental consultant

Step 2.Notify your neighbours

Before asbestos removal begins, notify nearby properties of the start date and expected duration.

Neighbours may wish to close windows and doors, avoid outdoor activities, and pause the use of clotheslines or ventilation systems during the works.

Step 3.Disposal of asbestos

Asbestos waste must be handled and disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Asbestos Waste:

Asbestos waste must be securely wrapped or double‑bagged in heavy‑duty plastic (minimum 200 µm thick)
All packages must be sealed with tape and clearly labelled as asbestos waste before transport
Asbestos must only be transported and disposed of at a facility licensed to accept asbestos waste

Do not place asbestos in household bins or include it in kerbside or bulky waste collections

Further information on disposal of asbestos at licensed waste facilities is available at Coffs Coast Waste Services – A–Z Guide.

After a Fire – Make Safe and Reporting

Property owners are responsible for making fire-damaged sites safe as soon as practicable.

Step 1.Make Safe Requirements

Owners must take immediate steps to reduce risks, including securing the site to prevent access (e.g. fencing or boarding), stabilising unsafe structures or debris, and engaging licensed contractors for demolition or clean-up.

Where asbestos is present or suspected, SafeWork NSW requirements must be followed.

These actions address immediate safety risks and do not replace obligations under SafeWork NSW or the NSW EPA.

Step 2.Notify The City

Owners must notify The City of Coffs Harbour (The City) if a property is destroyed or significantly damaged by fire.

Please provide:

Description of damage (include building age if known)
Steps taken to make the site safe
Photos (if safe to obtain)
Insurance status

Contact The City:

By phone: 02 6648 4000

By email: coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au

In person: Customer Service Centre
Yarrila Place, Level 1, 27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour NSW Australia 2450
Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 3.30pm

The City may assess risks where there are public health, safety, or environmental concerns.

Step 3.Managing Asbestos and Fire-Damaged Materials

Do not enter or disturb fire-damaged areas where asbestos may be present until controls are in place.

Asbestos can be:

Friable (high risk): easily crumbled or reduced to powder
Non-friable (lower risk): bonded material (e.g. fibro), which can become friable if damaged or fire-affected

Fire damage can increase the risk of asbestos becoming friable.

If asbestos is present or suspected

Treat all fire-damaged materials as asbestos until proven otherwise.
Do not handle, disturb, or remove materials yourself.

You must:

Engage a licensed asbestos assessor to inspect and confirm the presence and condition of asbestos
Follow SafeWork NSW requirements, see: Asbestos | SafeWork NSW
Ensure only appropriately licensed contractors undertake removal:
- Class A licensed contractors are required for friable asbestos removal and disposal
Implement appropriate safety control measures prior to any work
Contact your insurer promptly to support assessment and remediation

All asbestos waste must be disposed of at a licensed facility.

Illegal dumping is prohibited and penalties apply.

Other Fire‑Damaged Materials (Non‑Asbestos):
Fire-damaged materials that do not contain asbestos must still:

Be safely removed and disposed of at an appropriate licensed waste facility

Important:
If materials are suspected of containing asbestos, they must:

Be managed as asbestos
Follow the friable asbestos pathway (highest level of precaution) until laboratory confirmation or formal clearance is provided by a licensed asbestos assessor

All suspected asbestos waste should be treated as regulated asbestos waste unless formal clearance confirms otherwise.