As part of previous manufacturing processes, asbestos waste was used to fill land (largely in Western Sydney) at multiple locations between the 1950s and 1970s. This has resulted in legacy land contamination for hundreds of residential, commercial and industrial properties, and public open spaces.
Innocent landowners are significantly affected through reduced property values, limitations on the use of the property, and potential health risks. Infrastructure development like new road corridors has also been affected.
Over recent years the City of Parramatta Council and State Government landowners have remediated some affected sites. The EPA has assessed all residential sites and offered work to private landowners to make their land safe. Many but not all have taken up this offer. These ‘make-safe’ works are effective but have a limited life span of years.
This issue is a priority because it needs a long-term resolution. It will be complex and expensive to resolve.
Lead: Property and Development NSW
Partners: the EPA, Public Works Advisory, NSW Health, SafeWork NSW and affected local councils
That the community is not exposed to legacy waste from previous asbestos manufacturing industries used as fill on public and private land.
9. The EPA will continue to manage the short-term response to identified residential properties and associated interim make-safe works. This will include sampling of newly-identified residential properties as well as the installation or maintenance of interim make-safe works as necessary.
10. Property and Development NSW will work with NACC and council partners to develop long-term options for government to consider.
