Public health risks | Redland City Council
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Public health risks

What are public health risks?

Redland City Council is legally responsible for enforcing the Public Health Act 2005. Public health risks are likely to be hazardous to human health, contribute to disease in humans or transmission of an infectious condition in humans and may include:

  • wastewater and sewage
  • designated pests (e.g. rats and mosquitoes)
  • waste material accumulation (e.g. food scraps)
  • chemical (or by-product) release or dispersal from non-work places (e.g. toxic fumes and asbestos)
  • any other activity, animal or substance that is or is likely to be hazardous to human health, or could contribute to a disease or infectious condition in humans

The management of public health risks is the responsibility of several different agencies at both State and Local Government levels. The following page provides advice on:

Asbestos

The unsafe handling of asbestos that results in the release or dispersal of asbestos fibres is a public risk.  

Who to contact if you suspect unsafe handling of asbestos?

Government agency Location of unsafe handling of asbestos
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Business, contractor or a person at a commercial premises
Contact Council Homeowner, occupant or owner-builder

Types of asbestos and where you may find it

Asbestos can be broken into two broad categories: friable and non-friable.

Friable

Asbestos-containing materials that can be easily reduced to powder when crushed by hand when dry. Friable asbestos has a much greater risk to health as the fibres can easily become airborne if damaged.

Examples of friable asbestos-containing materials include:

  • some sprayed on fire retardants
  • soundproofing and insulation
  • the lining on some old domestic heaters, stoves and hot water systems, and pipe insulation
  • the backing of sheet vinyl and linoleum floor coverings
  • thermal insulation.

Non-friable (also known as bonded)

Asbestos-containing materials in which the asbestos is firmly bonded with other materials. These materials can still become friable asbestos if broken or damaged.

Examples of non-friable asbestos-containing materials include:

  • asbestos cement products (flat, profiled and corrugated sheeting used in walls, ceilings and roofs, moulded items such as downpipes)
  • plaster patching compounds
  • textured paint
  • vinyl floor coverings.

How to handle, remove and dispose of asbestos safely

Non-friable asbestos can be handled safely using the right procedures. If in doubt, it's recommended to engage a licensed contractor to conduct the works on your behalf to protect yourself, your family and your neighbours.

The Asbestos: A guide for minor renovation details safe work procedures that must be followed when undertaking minor works involving asbestos-containing materials. If you are carrying out certain prescribed works in a non-workplace area, you must take reasonable measures to minimise the risk of asbestos fibres being released and the associated hazards to the health of yourself and any other person.

Cleaning or cutting asbestos must not be done in non-workplace areas

Some activities make it difficult to stop the asbestos fibres being released or dispersed, and must not be done in a non-workplace area. These works include:

  • cutting asbestos materials with a power tool, such as an angle grinder, circular saw or electric sander
  • cleaning asbestos materials, such as roof sheeting, with a high-pressure water cleaner
  • using compressed air or abrasive blasting on asbestos material.

More general information, practical guidance and resources about asbestos can be found on the Queensland Government webpage.

Removal of friable asbestos

It's important to understand that a person must not remove friable asbestos-containing material located in a non-workplace area unless the person holds a class A asbestos removal licence under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

Removal of non-friable asbestos

It's important to understand that a person must not remove a quantity of bonded ACM of more than 10m2 located in a non-workplace area unless the person holds the appropriate licence.

Disposal of asbestos

Asbestos is a regulated waste and cannot be disposed of in rubbish bins or recycling bins. Please contact Council or see Council's webpage to find out where you can dispose of asbestos.

Further resources

Find out more information about safely handling and removing asbestos:

Clandestine drug laboratories

Clandestine drug laboratories (clan labs) are places where illegal drugs have been manufactured. These are often found in domestic rental properties, commercial or industrial properties and in hotel and motel accommodation.

During the manufacture of these drugs, toxic gases and aerosols are produced. These chemicals can be absorbed by items such as flooring, walls, furnishings, fittings and personal effects (for example clothing and books). Poor chemical waste disposal may also result in soil contamination in the yard at a clan lab site.

Even after removal of all dangerous chemicals and equipment, chemical contamination can remain at the property.

Who to contact if you suspect illegal drug manufacturing?

Government agency   Location of drug laboratory
Queensland Police Service Another property or your own property (recently purchased)
Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) Rented property
Department of Housing and Public Works Public housing property
Workplace Health and Safety Non-residential property (e.g. hotel, warehouse, storage facility)
Queensland Health Public Health Unit.   Other areas (e.g. vehicle, boat, caretaker's residence)

Council's involvement:

If you suspect a clandestine laboratory, please contact the police. Council will be involved in the remediation of properties after the police have notified Council of chemical contamination from illegal drug manufacturing.

Council can provide advice on:

  • how to find a qualified person to test for potential illegal drug contamination
  • steps you can take to remediate property of chemical contamination
  • how to comply with a Public Health Order issued by Council

Enforcement

Failure to comply with the requirements of a Public Health Order may result in one or more of the following enforcement actions:

  • issuing of a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) or on-the-spot fine
  • prosecution

Green pools

An unmaintained swimming pool can be a likely breeding ground for mosquitoes increasing the risk of diseases carried by mosquitoes. Council is responsible for taking steps if backyard pools are a potential public health risk. If your swimming pool is reported as a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes (green pool), Council will send you an advisory letter on how to resolve in accordance with the Public Health Act 2005.

Council suggests regularly maintaining your pool so it does not become a public health risk by:

  • Testing and balancing all water chemicals (aim for free chlorine above 2.0 mg/L) – ask your local pool shop for help if required
  • Use water stabilisers at the correct concentrations (cyanuric acid at less than 50 mg/L) to prevent chlorine lock
  • Vacuum dead algae from your pool and remove any leaves or debris
  • Keep filters clean and pump in good repair so there's good circulation

Rats and mice

If you own or occupy a property in Redland City you are required under the Public Health Act 2005 to manage rats and mice on your property.

Council offers advice to help you:

  • prevent rats and mice from breeding on your property
  • reducing harbourage and controlling infestations
  • identify native and introduced species of rats and mice.

Council officers may also investigate situations where rat and mice infestations present a public health risk. For further information see our Rats and Mice fact sheet.

Managing rats and mice

The following methods may help manage rats and mice.

To prevent or reduce rat and mice infestations on your property:

  • vermin-proof your premises. Block all cracks, crevices, holes and other potential access points on your premises using sturdy, durable materials such as cast iron grills, heavy-guage sheet metal or rich cement mortar/concrete. Don't use plastic, wood or materials that rodents can gnaw through
  • trim vegetation. Trim trees, plants, weeds and long grass. Tidy up overgrown gardens, timber, sheet metal, cluttered sheds and junk piles that rodents like to nest in
  • store food securely. Store food in secure, rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids. Make sure rodents can't chew through containers. Do this with any food, animal feed, seed and food waste
  • maintain hygiene. Dispose of food scraps and domestic waste in proper containers. Clean all pet areas, including aviaries and chicken pens. Remove overgrown vegetation, leaf piles and grass clippings
  • restrict water access. Remove access to water sources – rats drink about three times as much as they eat. Cover or remove water fountains, pet water bowls and ponds
  • store building materials above ground level. Store building materials and other items in stacks above the ground. Check regularly for evidence of rat or mice droppings.

Once mice or rats are present on your property it is recommended you maintain a management strategy, for example baiting or trapping year round.

Live trapping is useful for small infestations of vermin and in situations where you wouldn't use poison.

Set traps in a safe, sheltered place located along the rodent's path of movement. Make sure they can't injure children, pets and wildlife.

Effective baits include peanut butter, dried fruit, chocolate, thin slices of meat such as bacon or sausages and cereal/oats.

Rodents are often wary of new traps. If you use snap traps, place a baited (but unset) trap in position for a few days before setting it. This will increase your chance of catching the rodent.

Chemicals and rodenticides are available in bait, powder or water form to control rats and mice. Common types use anticoagulant poisons which reduce the clotting power of blood, killing the rodent in seven to 14 days.

To set a bait, place bait in a box close to the source of infestation, in a covered, dark position. Regularly inspect and top up the baits.

When setting baits:

  • make sure children and pets can't access or ingest the bait
  • read the label and follow instructions
  • properly dispose of anything in contact with the poison, including packaging, dead animals, and gloves
  • contact a doctor or vet immediately if poison is ingested by a human, pet or other animal.

It may take around seven to 14 days for a rodent to eat the poison. If the bait is untouched after one week, move the box to a new location and repeat until the bait is taken.

Prior to baiting it should be noted that poisoned rats or mice may die in areas of your house you can't access. If this happens you may notice an unpleasant odour for a number of days.

If you have a rat or mouse infestation you can't manage, contact a licensed pest control operator.

Types of rats and mice

You don't need to control native rats and mice; however, introduced species should be controlled immediately.

See the following information about three species of introduced rodents that are common to urban areas:

  • The Norway Rat (Brown or Sewer Rat) usually lives in burrows beneath buildings, and can be found in sewers and around rubbish dumps. This rat prefers to eat plant, animal and meat material, and usually remains close to their nest when scavenging for food. It is the most common and destructive introduced rat species in Australia.
  • The Roof Rat (Black Rat) is an excellent climber and jumper. It nests in the upper parts of dwellings such as rooftops, walls and furniture. This rat prefers to eat fruits, nuts, grains and vegetables. It tends to roam to find food, but usually returns to its existing nest. 
  • The House Mouse will live anywhere with shelter, warmth, food and nesting materials, including areas in and around houses, buildings and structures. It prefers to eat cereal grains and does not roam far in search of food.

Resolving an issue

If rats or mice are an issue on surrounding properties, raise the alleged issue directly with the person responsible and give them a reasonable timeframe to resolve it. 

If the person does not resolve the issue after that time, contact us to report the problem on (07) 3829 8999. To make a complaint you must be able to verify the source of the vermin.

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