Asbestos levy moves a step in the right direction

12 November 2019

Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller welcomed the decision by the NSW Government to remove the levy for disposing of asbestos waste on loads of up to 250kg, but called for levies on larger loads to be removed.

“Removing the levy on smaller loads is a step in the right direction,” Mayor Waller said.

“But if we want to see a genuine reduction in illegally dumped asbestos waste we need to go further.”

While there are many single bags of asbestos dumped in Liverpool that would fall under this threshold, much of the problem in the Liverpool Local Government Area comprises of larger loads.

So far this year, Council has spent approximately $550,000 to remove illegally dumped asbestos waste. A large part of this cost is levies.

“The removal of levies for loads of asbestos up to 250kg removes a significant barrier to people with smaller loads doing the right thing, but will not deter those with larger amounts,” Mayor Waller said.

“If the cost of safely disposing larger volumes of asbestos and contaminated soil is significantly reduced or removed altogether, it will encourage people to dispose of their waste safely and legally.”

“It will save the Council having to wear the cost of cleaning up illegal dumping sites and disposing of the resulting waste and most importantly, it will reduce the risk to the community.

“Council would also welcome programs to assist homeowners, builders and developers to understand their responsibilities with regards to asbestos disposal.”