The Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a free household asbestos collection and disposal trial, set to begin in 2027.

Mayor Byrne said she had long advocated for changes to make asbestos disposal more accessible and affordable.

“I’ve been calling for a new approach to asbestos disposal for years and have consistently advocated for the removal of the NSW Government’s waste levy on asbestos disposed of at licensed facilities,” Mayor Byrne said.

“The NSW Government’s free collection and disposal service is a significant step forward. Around one in three homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos, which was once widely regarded as a safe building material.

“If asbestos is not handled or disposed of correctly, it poses serious health risks, including lung cancer.

“Illegal dumping of asbestos has been a major issue in The Hills for decades, and I hope this initiative will significantly reduce the problem.

“Investigating illegal dumping is often difficult, and when those responsible cannot be identified, councils are left to bear the cost of removing asbestos dumped on public land.

“Given the serious public health risks, it’s in everyone’s interest to ensure asbestos is handled safely and disposed of at an approved waste facility.

“The NSW Government’s free collection and disposal service provides a strong incentive for homeowners, renovators and contractors to do the right thing.”

While SafeWork NSW is the lead authority for asbestos management, asbestos removal often requires Council approval. For more information, visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au and search for ‘Asbestos’.