Call for asbestos amnesty days to end illegal dumping

The Asbestos Diseases Foundation is calling for asbestos amnesty days, which would allow people to dispose of asbestos waste at tips and landfill sites at no charge.

Supplied stock image obtained Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 of an asbestos removal warning sign. (AAP Image/Supplied) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Supplied stock image obtained Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 of an asbestos removal warning sign. (AAP Image/Supplied) Source: Supplied

The Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia has welcomed the New South Wales Government's decision to temporarily scrap a levy on asbestos waste being sent to landfill sites.

At least ten local government areas will take part in next year's 12-month trial, which aims to reduce the amount of asbestos dumped illegally across the state.

However the Foundation's president, Barry Robson, says it's only one step in preventing asbestos-related deaths in Australia.

He wants to see all Australian states and territories permanently adopt amnesty days, which would allow people to dispose of asbestos waste at tips and landfill sites at no charge.

It's a move he says has been highly successful at reducing illegal dumpings of asbestos in Western Australia.

Mr Robson spoke with Brianna Piazza.

(Click on audio tab above to listen to this item)

 


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

By Brianna Piazza


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world