Planned asbestos disposal point - Romsey RRF

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction due to it being lightweight, versatile and fire-resistant.

There are two types of asbestos: non-friable (also known as ‘bonded’) and friable. Non-friable asbestos products are chemically blended to a material (i.e., cement), whereas friable asbestos products can be crumbled or reduced to dust with light pressure.

We now know that asbestos can be dangerous for your health, which is why it has been banned as a building material in Australia since 2003. For more information on where you might find asbestos, visit the Asbestos in Victoria website.

When asbestos is in poor condition or disturbed, such as during building renovations, fibres which are invisible to the naked eye can become airborne and easily inhaled. This can lead to several illnesses, some of which can be life threatening. However, asbestos-related risks can be safely managed by ensuring correct and safe removal, transportation and disposal procedures are followed.

Before starting any property improvement projects, check for asbestos with a professional. Due to its popularity at the time, it is likely that any building constructed or renovated before 1990 contains asbestos. It can be found in any room and structure or outside in fencing, pipes, and sheds. Any property built or renovated before asbestos was banned in 2003 could also contain it.

For more information on where to find asbestos and how to safely remove it, visit the Asbestos in Victoria website.

It is strongly recommended that you use a licensed asbestos removalist for the safe removal of any form of asbestos.

If you choose to remove non-friable (bonded) asbestos from your home yourself, you must strictly follow safety guidelines to keep you and the community safe. You need to understand the risks and take the necessary precautions. Friable or ‘dusty’ asbestos material must only be removed by engaging a Class A licensed asbestos removalist. For more information about safe removal and how to contact a specialist visit the Asbestos in Victoria website.

If you are a tradesperson, you must follow OHS regulations which may include the limited asbestos removal regulations. For more information about safe asbestos removal and your responsibilities, visit WorkSafe Victoria's Asbestos page.

Asbestos must be disposed of at an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria permitted waste facility that is approved to receive asbestos. If asbestos is not disposed of correctly once it’s been removed from a building, it still poses a health risk. Dumping of asbestos is illegal and can result in significant penalties.

Asbestos that is illegally dumped in public places or in kerbside bins is a health hazard and cost to local communities and businesses. That’s why it’s important to have local waste facilities dedicated to the safe disposal of asbestos.

Asbestos is present in roughly one third of Australian homes and can be found in other commercial buildings, infrastructure and farms. An estimated 6,000 tonnes of asbestos are illegally dumped in Australia each year (Source: www.asbestossafety.gov.au).

It’s important that in Victoria, we have conveniently located facilities for the safe disposal of materials containing asbestos. These facilities will help support the gradual and safe removal of this legacy waste from our built environment.

Currently people in the area who want to dispose of small quantities of asbestos have to drive a long distance to an EPA Victoria permitted transfer station or landfill.

Leaving asbestos waste on your property or dumping it in kerbside bins, or public places, puts you and your community at risk. Dumping of asbestos is illegal and can result in significant penalties.

Trades, householders and asbestos removalists will be able to use the asbestos disposal point if they make a booking and strictly follow packaging, transport and onsite disposal requirements. Disposal fees will apply.

The asbestos disposal point will be based at the Romsey Resource Recovery Facility located at 21 Johnston Court, Romsey.

To support as many people in the local area as possible the <insert site name> will accept small quantities of packaged, non-friable (or bonded) asbestos waste (under 10 meters squared or less than 120kgs) from trades, householders/DIYers and asbestos removalists.

On site, a designated disposal point will temporarily store the waste safely and securely in a fit-for-purpose bin. Once the bin reaches storage limits, the waste will be sealed and transported to an EPA Victoria licensed landfill for final disposal.

At present, asbestos disposal options are limited in the Macedon Ranges. Currently, people in the area who want to dispose of small quantities of asbestos drive a long distance to an EPA Victoria permitted transfer station or landfill.

 The Romsey Resource Recovery Facility is a well located, local waste facility which will have a designated secured area designed to temporarily store packaged, non-friable asbestos waste safely.

Council continues to have a strong focus on reducing waste on behalf of our community, and wants to actively support the community to safely dispose of this legacy waste. This initiative aligns with Council Plan objectives and our Waste and Resource Recovery Management Strategy 2021-2026.

Yes, there are strict environmental and health and safety requirements that must be met for a waste facility to be able to accept asbestos waste.

Council must have an EPA Victoria permission for the temporary storage of packaged, non-friable asbestos at the Romsey Resource Recovery Facility.

For more information on EPA Victoria permissions, visit the EPA's website.

Anyone who needs to dispose of small quantities of non-friable asbestos waste can use the transfer station as long as they make a booking and strictly follow packaging, transport and onsite-disposal requirements. Disposal fees will apply.

Customers disposing of asbestos will be supported with educational materials and safety procedures to protect our community and the environment from the risks of asbestos.

Yes. Fees for disposing of asbestos waste will vary depending on the quantity.

Before visiting the site, all customers must book a time slot to dispose of their waste. This will help to manage customer numbers and ensure trained staff members are available to monitor safe disposal.

More information about the booking system will be available here later this year, following the formal launch of the initiative.

The site will only accept loads that meet all three of the following requirements. The asbestos waste must be:

• Non-friable asbestos or ‘bonded’ asbestos only such as asbestos cement sheeting, roof tiles, eaves, fencing, pipes etc.
• Small quantities – (under 10 square meters or less than 120kgs).
• Packaged correctly – double wrapped, sealed, and labelled. This must be done in heavy duty (minimum of 200mm thickness) HDPE plastic sheeting or specialised asbestos bags.

The site will not accept under any circumstances:

• Friable, or ‘dusty’ asbestos products
• Asbestos-contaminated soils
• Asbestos with incorrect or damaged packaging

The site will only receive asbestos on certain days and times during standard operating hours. Bookings will be essential prior to disposal.

Asbestos waste must be transported safely. Under the Environment Protection Act, it is everyone’s responsibility when managing asbestos to minimise potential risks of harm to human health or the environment. This means:

• a licensed removalist, waste transporter or a tradesperson disposing of a customer's asbestos waste, must follow Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria regulations including transporting asbestos in EPA Victoria permissioned vehicles and using Waste Tracker. For more information on the correct transportation of asbestos waste visit the EPA's website.
• anyone delivering asbestos waste must ensure packages are secure in their vehicle or trailer to avoid any tears or the risk of waste falling out onto roads.

EPA Victoria has asbestos specific guidance relevant to both licensed removalists and householders handling asbestos waste. Visit the EPA's website for more information.

On arrival, a site operator will check if asbestos waste is packaged correctly.

Process for customers with compliant packaging

If the asbestos load is packaged correctly, the site operator will direct the customer to the asbestos disposal point:

• Customers will park near the skip bin and remove the packaged asbestos from their own vehicle. They will be guided by a staff member to carefully place it in the skip bin and will then exit the site. Asbestos waste must be loaded and unloaded from vehicles carefully. If it takes two people to lift the waste into a vehicle, customers will need to ensure they have two people onsite to move the waste at the Asbestos Disposal Point.
• Once the bin reaches storage or time limits in line with EPA Victoria permission requirements, the waste will be completely sealed and transported to a licensed landfill for final disposal.

Process for customers with non-compliant packaging
Asbestos waste that is incorrectly packaged will be rejected. The customer will be required to leave the site, re-package the load correctly and book a future disposal appointment.

The safety of the local community, customers, and site operators is of top priority for Council. Not only will the site provide a safe place to dispose of asbestos, but it will also be managed in line with strict environmental and OHS regulations to help keep you and the community safe.

Here are just a few ways the site will be kept safe:

1. The Transfer Station needs an EPA Victoria permission to temporarily store small quantities of packaged, non-friable asbestos waste safely. The asbestos disposal point will be fenced and will have a weather-proof, fit for purpose bin. Once the bin reaches storage limits the waste will be completely sealed and transported to an EPA Victoria licensed landfill for final disposal.
2. Site operators will be supported by management with the provision of appropriate training, clear procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE), and decontamination equipment, (in the unlikely event of an emergency), to prevent any potential harm from asbestos fibres.

When it comes to the safe management of asbestos waste, we all have a part to play. If you, or someone you know needs to remove or dispose of asbestos waste, contacting a licensed removalist is strongly recommended. For more information on how to contact a licensed removalist visit the Asbestos in Victoria website.

If you see dumped waste (particularly construction waste) in your community please contact your local council or EPA Victoria’s pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.

Dumping of asbestos is illegal and can result in significant penalties.