Victoria must establish a central body to handle concerns about asbestos, according to a taskforce probing the use and disposal of the building material.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
A report released on Thursday made 21 recommendations to the Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D'Ambrosio, which could have an impact across the state.
The Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce was established in response to community concern about how the material was handled following the closure of two power stations in Gippsland.
Recommendations include creating a register of asbestos-related deaths, new rules on how home owners may handle asbestos-containing materials on their property and amendments to occupational health and safety legislation.
It also called for greater community education campaigns and compulsory asbestos reports to be presented on the sale or rental of a residential property built before 1990.
Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce chair Jane Anderson said she was concerned about the absence of a central body that takes responsibility for the material across residential areas.
"People don't know where to go for help, and so they can't readily access the information needed," Ms Anderson said in a statement.
"There is no clear line of authority, and it is very concerning that across all sectors of the community, the real impacts and risks of asbestos exposure are not fully understood."
Ms Anderson said approximately 4500 Australians die from asbestos-related diseases every year.
"It is a significant problem that is not going away," she said.
"The implementation of these recommendations will change the approach to managing legacy asbestos right across the whole state, and will result in lives being saved."
There were 18 organisations involved in the report including WorkSafe Victoria, three Gippsland councils, unions and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Australian Associated Press
