Building material containing asbestos was used throughout Queensland from 1940 until the late 1980s. Builders used asbestos because it was long lasting, fire resistant and insulating.
Products made from asbestos can include:
- fibro sheeting
- guttering and downpipes
- drainage or flues
- corrugated roofing sheets
- roofing shingles.
In 2003, the Department of Health banned asbestos from being made, sold or used due to health risks.
When asbestos is in good condition, it does not cause any health risks if it is left alone.
Damaged asbestos and asbestos that is disturbed by renovation can release fibres into the air. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause life-threatening diseases.
For more information about asbestos, please visit Queensland Government – Asbestos.
Renovating your home and DIY
When you are maintaining or renovating your home, be on the lookout for asbestos. There are two main types of asbestos to look for – friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos.
Friable asbestos has materials that easily reduce to powder if crushed by hand when dry. If damaged or disturbed, friable asbestos fibres can become airborne and cause a health risk. Friable asbestos is in materials like:
- some sprayed-on fire retardants
- sound proofing and insulation
- the lining on some old domestic heaters, stoves, hot water systems and pipe insulation
- the backing of sheet vinyl and linoleum floor coverings
- thermal insulation.
Non-friable asbestos has asbestos fibres that are firmly bonded with other materials. It’s also called bonded, asbestos containing material (ACM). Non-friable asbestos is in materials like:
- asbestos cement products (flat, profiled and corrugated sheeting used in walls)
- ceilings and roofs (particularly molded items like downpipes)
- gables, eaves and soffits
- fence panels
- carports and shed wall sheeting.
You must not use a power tool to cut or clean asbestos. This includes:
- using an electric sander to remove paint from asbestos cement sheeting
- using an angle grinder to cut asbestos
- using a high pressure washer to clean an asbestos roof
- using an air compressor to clean an area after working with asbestos cement sheeting
- using compressed air or abrasive-blasting asbestos materials.
If your home has asbestos that is in good condition, it’s best to leave it alone when you are renovating or doing maintenance. If you need to disturb or remove any asbestos, you might need a certificate or special contractor.
- You can remove less than 10 square meters of non-friable asbestos without a certificate, but you must still take safety precautions.
- If you want to remove more than 10 square meters of friable asbestos, you must get a certificate or get a contractor with a current asbestos removal certificate to do it for you.
For more information about your responsibilities for asbestos in your home, please visit Queensland Government – Asbestos.
Disposing of asbestos
Homeowners in Logan City can transport and dispose of less than 175 kilograms of asbestos at the Browns Plains Waste and Recycling Facility. Please see our asbestos disposal acceptance conditions.
If you want to dispose of more than 250 kilograms of asbestos, you will need to engage an approved waste transporter. For a list of asbestos removal contractors, please visit Queensland Government – Asbestos removal and licensing.
Reporting unsafe asbestos handling
To report unsafe handling, removal or transporting of asbestos materials by a building contractor or at a workplace, please call Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on 13 QGOV (137 468).
To report illegal dumping of asbestos or any removal or cleaning of asbestos from a non work-place, please call us on 07 3412 3412 or email us at council@logan.qld.gov.au.