Asbestos questions

If it's in good condition and won't be disturbed, it's often best left alone (NSW EPA). If it's damaged, don't touch or move it. Spray it with water, keeping clear of electrical fittings, cover it with plastic or a tarp, and keep children and pets away (NSW Health). Then get it tested, or talk to a licensed removalist.

Yes, up to 10 square metres of bonded (non-friable) asbestos, if you take the right safety precautions. More than that, or any friable asbestos, must be removed by a licensed removalist (Central Coast Council). 10 square metres is about a 5 m by 2 m wall (asbestos.nsw.gov.au). SafeWork NSW recommends a licensed removalist for any amount (SafeWork NSW).

Friable asbestos is in powder form, or can be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Bonded (non-friable) asbestos has its fibres held in a bonding compound, such as asbestos cement sheeting (SafeWork NSW). Bonded asbestos can become friable if it's damaged by weather, cutting, drilling or water blasting (NSW Health).

On SafeWork NSW's public register at verify.licence.nsw.gov.au. It shows the licence number and type, status, expiry date and any conditions (SafeWork NSW). Class A covers friable and bonded asbestos; Class B covers bonded only (asbestos.nsw.gov.au).

The licensed removalist. Licensed asbestos removal must be notified to SafeWork NSW at least 5 calendar days before the work starts, except in an emergency (SafeWork NSW).

Some asbestos removal needs planning consent, so talk to the council first (asbestos.nsw.gov.au). For a demolition that needs development consent or a complying development certificate, Central Coast Council recommends contacting it to find out which approval you need (Central Coast Council).

At the council's Buttonderry or Woy Woy waste management facility, booked at least 24 hours ahead and double-wrapped in plastic at least 200 microns thick (Central Coast Council). If you transport more than 100 kilograms or 10 square metres yourself, report it to the EPA within 24 hours after delivery (NSW EPA).

Leave it where it is. Hail, fire or water blasting can make bonded asbestos friable, and then a licensed friable asbestos removalist must deal with it (Central Coast Council). Wet it down and cover it while you wait (NSW Health). For emergency help with storm damage, call the NSW SES on 132 500 (NSW SES).

The owner is responsible for maintaining the property, including managing asbestos. If you think you've found some, tell the owner or your rental agent (asbestos.nsw.gov.au).

The owners corporation repairs and maintains common property, which in most schemes includes the roof and gutters, the boundary walls and the ceiling (NSW Government). Talk to your strata manager or strata committee before any work.

It's worth considering. Central Coast Council's policy says a house built before the mid-1980s is highly likely to contain asbestos products (Central Coast Council). See asbestos testing.

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