Asbestos frequently asked questions

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction due to it being lightweight, versatile and fire-resistant. It is present in roughly one third of Australian homes and can be found in other commercial buildings, infrastructure and farms.

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: asbestos.vic.gov.au.

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 asbestos.vic.gov.au.

Who can remove asbestos from a property?

If you find non-friable (bonded) asbestos, it is strongly advised that you engage a licensed asbestos removalist who knows how to manage the material safely. If you choose to remove and dispose of non-friable asbestos yourself, you need to understand the risks and take the necessary precautions. Follow safety guidelines to keep you and the community safe.

For resources on identifying asbestos and planning for, and undertaking safe removal, visit asbestos.vic.gov.au.

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.vic.gov.au. 

Friable asbestos is extremely hazardous. If you find friable asbestos in a workplace it must only be removed by a licensed removalist (Class A). If you find it in your home, it is highly recommended that you contact a licensed removalist (Class A) to do the removal and disposal. To find a Class A removalist go to asbestos.vic.gov.au.

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.

The new Asbestos Disposal Point is located at Cosgrove Landfill, Corner Quarry Road and Cosgrove - Lemnos Road, Cosgrove (Map).

Bookings are essential prior to disposal by calling 03 5832 9700 or make a booking online by clicking the button below:

Make a booking online 

An estimated 6,000 tonnes of asbestos are illegally dumped in Australia each year. The new Asbestos Disposal Point is a conveniently located waste facility designed for people to dispose of small amounts of wrapped asbestos waste correctly and safely.

At present, asbestos disposal options are limited in the Goulburn Valley. Licensed asbestos removalists, tradespeople and the community are travelling to landfills that are located over an hour’s drive away, which can have a significant impact on the time and cost of disposing of asbestos waste.

Currently, in Greater Shepparton, asbestos waste is reportedly being illegally dumped within the municipality, which is why it’s so important that there is a conveniently located disposal point to help protect you and your community.

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.

Cosgrove Landfill holds an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria licence to temporarily store wrapped asbestos waste in a fit for purpose bin, located in a secured area.

More information on Cosgrove Landfill’s licence can be found at epa.vic.gov.au.

Currently in Greater Shepparton, people wanting to dispose of asbestos have to drive to landfills over an hour away or into Melbourne. Asbestos waste is also being dumped illegally in kerbside bins, bushland and public spaces. The aim of the asbestos disposal point pilot is to provide a convenient, safe disposal solution for the local community.

The site will be open for an initial six months. An evaluation will then be conducted to inform future planning. At this point council will review the operation to ensure it is still the most appropriate solution for asbestos waste disposal for the Shepparton area. Council will then have a further two months to confirm ongoing service delivery or whether they will cease accepting asbestos.

Anyone who needs to dispose of small quantities (less than 10 square metres or less than 100kgs) of packaged, non-friable asbestos waste can use the Asbestos Disposal Point as long as they make a booking and 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.

As a guide, 10 square meters is equivalent to about four sheets of asbestos cement wall sheeting, or usually only one wall of an average bathroom.

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

To find out information on disposal rates visit our Cosgrove Landfill page.

Yes. Before visiting the Asbestos Disposal Point, all customers must book a time slot to dispose of their waste. This will help ensure a trained staff member is on hand to assist you.

If you turn up at Cosgrove landfill and you have not made a booking you will be refused entry.

To find out more about disposal fees and conditions of use, or to make a booking, call 03 5832 9700 or make a booking online by clicking the button below:

Make a booking online 

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 – less than 10 square metres (m2) or less than 100kgs. Individual packages should not weigh more than 20kgs.
• Packaged correctly - double wrapped, sealed, and labelled. This must be done in heavy duty (minimum of 0.2mm thickness) HDPE plastic sheeting or specialised asbestos bags which can be found at most hardware stores and safety equipment suppliers.

For more information on how to correctly package your asbestos waste, visit our Asbestos Disposal Program page.

Operating hours for the Asbestos Disposal Point are during the standard operating hours for Cosgrove Landfill, which can be found on our Cosgrove Landfill webpage. 

To find out more about disposal fees and conditions of use, or to make a booking, call 03 5832 9700 or make a booking online by clicking the button below:

Make a booking online 

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:

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

You will only be able to dispose of less than 10 square metres or less than 100kgs of packaged non-friable asbestos per load. Individual packages should not weigh more than 20kgs.

Bookings are essential prior to disposal by calling 03 5832 9700 or make a booking online by clicking the button below:

Make a booking online 

When you arrive at Cosgrove landfill, a site operator at the weighbridge will check if your asbestos waste is packaged correctly.

If it is correctly packaged, and meets quantity requirements, a site operator will direct you to the Asbestos Disposal Point where you can dispose of the asbestos waste.

Process for customers with correct packaging

If the asbestos load is packaged correctly and meets quantity requirements 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.
• 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 incorrect packaging

If your asbestos load is incorrectly packaged, you will be required to re-package the waste on-site. You will be provided with packaging materials and disposable PPE. Additional fees may apply.

For more information on how to correctly package your asbestos waste, visit our Asbestos Disposal Program page.

At the Asbestos Disposal Point you will park near the skip bin and remove the packaged asbestos from your own vehicle. The site operator will provide guidance on where to carefully place your waste in the specialised bin. Asbestos waste must be loaded and unloaded from vehicles carefully.

Site operators are not permitted to assist you with moving the waste from your vehicle to the bin. If it took two people to lift the waste into your vehicle, you will need to ensure that you have another person with you to move waste into the skip bin.

The Asbestos Disposal Point is a fenced area that has weather-proof, fit for purpose bins that are lined with heavy duty plastic. Once the bins reach storage or time limits in line with EPA Victoria permissions, the waste will be completely sealed and transported to the landfill cell for final disposal.

No. All asbestos waste must be correctly and safely packaged in line with OH&S regulations, otherwise you will be refused site entry. If your asbestos load is incorrectly packaged, you will be required to re-package the waste on-site. You will be provided with packaging materials and disposable PPE. Additional fees may apply.

Asbestos waste must be wrapped in two separate layers of heavy-duty (minimum of 0.2mm thickness) HDPE plastic sheeting or double-bagged in specialised asbestos waste bags, which can be found at most hardware stores and safety equipment suppliers.

Each layer must be sealed with strong, wide tape like duct tape. Label all packages clearly with the warning ‘CAUTION ASBESTOS’. For more information on how to correctly package your asbestos waste, visit visit our Asbestos Disposal Program page.

The safety of the local community, tradespeople, asbestos removalists and site operators is of top priority for Greater Shepparton City Council. Not only will the Asbestos Disposal Point provide a safe place to dispose of asbestos, the landfill will be managed in line with strict environmental and OHS regulations to help keep you and your community safe.

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

• Cosgrove Landfill is a highly engineered site that meets environmental regulatory requirements and holds an EPA licence to operate as a landfill.
• The Asbestos Disposal Point 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.
• The Asbestos Disposal Point is located in a secure area and equipped with fit for purpose storage bins to keep its workers, and customers, safe.
• Roads leading to the landfill will be closely monitored by the Council to ensure they remain free from asbestos fall-out or illegal dumping.

In the unlikely event of an emergency event, Council has procedures and an emergency management plan in place to protect the surrounding community from any risk. In the event of;

• An asbestos waste spill – the site has equipment to support trained operators with managing a clean-up.
• A fire – Council will work closely, and swiftly, with emergency services and relevant authorities to protect the surrounding community and the local environment from any risk

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 licensed removalist visit asbestos.vic.gov.au.

If you see dumped waste (particularly construction waste) in your local community or near the landfill, please contact 03 5832 9700 or EPA Victoria’s pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.