Asbestos in discrete Aboriginal communities

Problem

There are 61 discrete Aboriginal communities (DACs) located on former Aboriginal missions and reserve lands in NSW.

The lands are now owned by Local Aboriginal Land Councils under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW). When Aboriginal lands were returned to communities, the legacy of asbestos housing and waste came with the land. The presence of asbestos in these communities can be extensive and is deteriorating, which increases the health risk for community members and anyone working in those spaces.

Local Aboriginal Land Councils (not all of which contain DACs) also own other land and provide significant housing for their communities. Asbestos can be extensive in these contexts too.

Communities are often regional or remote, increasing the difficulty of managing or removing asbestos and accessing specialist knowledge.

Communities lack funding to manage or remove asbestos.

Outcomes sought

• Asbestos in discrete Aboriginal communities and in Aboriginal Community owned housing is actively and safely managed.
• Aboriginal people understand the risks of asbestos, how to stay safe and who to contact if help is needed.

Key issues to address

• Significant funding is required to remove or remediate asbestos in DACs. There are no other options available to resolve this significant legacy issue in these vulnerable communities. Of the 61 DACs it is estimated that problem asbestos is present in around half. Existing funding is piecemeal and extremely limited, with demand far exceeding the ability to respond. The extent of asbestos in Aboriginal Community owned housing is not yet known, and needs to be assessed as a first step.
• Asbestos is preventing other government programs from delivering in these communities. For example, the Roads to Home program is providing significant infrastructure such as roads and lighting, and opportunities to subdivide land. Asbestos is a significant barrier to this program, preventing government investment from achieving its purpose and blocking economic advantage for Aboriginal communities.
• Funding decisions need to be prioritised. The NACC has prioritised the removal of asbestos from DACs as a first issue, to maximise the impact of government investment in DACs. Asbestos in Aboriginal Community owned housing will continue to be an issue of focus for the medium term.