Illegal asbestos dumping in Queensland: what to do

Illegal asbestos dumping in Queensland covers more than tipping sheets in the bush. Putting asbestos in a household bin, burying it, storing it or passing it on can also break the law. This guide explains what is banned, why, and what to do if you find dumped asbestos in Toowoomba.

It sits under our asbestos disposal in Toowoomba overview.

What the law does not allow

Queensland guidance is clear. You must not:

• Put asbestos in a domestic bin.
• Reuse it or recycle it.
• Illegally dump it.
• Store it, sell it or give it away.

Asbestos waste is regulated waste. It has to go to a site approved and licensed to take it.

Why burying it is a problem

Digging a hole in the back paddock may feel tidy, but your property is not an approved disposal site. Buried sheets can be dug up later by a new owner, a plumber or a backhoe, and broken pieces put fibres back into the air.

The same logic applies to dumping on a roadside, in bushland or in a neighbour's skip. Each is illegal, and each leaves someone else to deal with the risk.

Penalties

Environmental law carries serious penalties for unlawful asbestos waste handling. We are not going to quote a figure for householders or small traders, because we could not confirm one. Ask the council or check the Queensland Government site for the current position.

If you find dumped asbestos

You may spot broken fibro sheets on a roadside or in a gully. If you suspect asbestos, treat it as asbestos.

1. Do not touch it, move it, break it up or drive over it.
2. Keep children, pets and other people away.
3. Note where it is, and take a photo from a distance if you can.
4. Report it to the Toowoomba Regional Council or the Queensland Government's environment department.

We have not confirmed a reporting phone number, so use the contact details on the council's website at tr.qld.gov.au.

If it is on your own land

Dumped material on your property is awkward. Do not clean it up yourself if it has broken into small pieces or if you cannot tell how much there is. Do not water blast it.

Bonded asbestos of 10 m² or less may be something a homeowner can handle with the right safety steps. Our guide to removing small amounts of asbestos sets out those limits. Above 10 m², or if the material is crumbling, call a licensed removalist. We hold a Class B licence for bonded material, and friable material needs a Class A removalist.

How to avoid ending up with leftovers

Most dumping starts with a pile of old sheets and no plan. Decide the end point before you start work.

• Check where to dispose of asbestos in Toowoomba for the council facility and its limits.
• Pack everything the right way, using the steps in how to wrap and transport asbestos in Queensland.
• Or let us arrange removal, transport and disposal together. Call (07) 3185 2323.

Rules change. Check the current requirements at asbestos.qld.gov.au.

You can also return to our homepage to see the other services we offer around Toowoomba.