UPDATE: West Australian Mayor Alison Xamon is sounding the alarm on the urgent need for government funding to address asbestos removal, emphasizing that local ratepayers should not bear the financial burden. With more than 4,000 Australians dying annually from preventable asbestos-related diseases, immediate action is critical.
Asbestos, banned in Australia over 20 years ago, still poses a significant risk, particularly in buildings constructed before the mid-1980s. Xamon highlighted that homes built before the 1990s are highly likely to contain hazardous materials. “There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos,” she stated, underscoring the deadly consequences of disturbance, including diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Alarmingly, Western Australia reports the highest incidence of mesothelioma globally.
The City of Vincent supports the Asbestos National Strategic Plan, which aims to eliminate asbestos-related diseases through a coordinated approach. However, one year into the plan, Xamon expressed concern over the lack of implementation details. She stated that without clear funding from either the Federal or State governments, local governments face an overwhelming task in prioritizing asbestos removal.
Local governments are responsible for managing risk-based removal of asbestos in publicly owned properties and incentivizing safe removal from private buildings. Xamon is urging both state and federal authorities to provide adequate funding to prevent these costs from falling on local taxpayers, who already contribute through state and federal taxes.
“We must work together across all levels of government to protect our communities from this silent killer,” Xamon asserted. She emphasized the necessity for early and ongoing engagement with local governments to ensure the plan’s practical execution.
The presence of asbestos in older suburbs, particularly in walls, ceilings, and roofs, poses a hidden risk for renovators and tradespeople. Xamon urged West Australians planning renovations to treat all materials as potentially hazardous and to seek professional assessments prior to any work. “Safe removal is not just a precaution; it’s a responsibility,” she stated.
With the threats posed by asbestos looming large, Xamon calls for immediate government action to secure funding and resources for removing these dangerous materials from Australian homes. “Together, we can ensure our neighbourhoods are safe for generations to come,” she concluded.
As the situation develops, residents and local governments await a response from higher authorities on how they will tackle this pressing health crisis.
