What is asbestos?
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occuring minerals. Their ability to resist high temperatures and fire made them effective insulators and as such, they were used in many Australian buildings constructed between 1940s to 1987. Until 1984, asbestos was used in fibre-cement building products in Australia such as sheeting, water drainage, roofing and guttering.
Asbestos fibres are around 50 to 200 times thinner than a human hair. Asbestos in good condition is unlikely to be a health risk if left undisturbed. It becomes a health risk when asbestos fibres are released into the air and breathed in.
Other types of fibre-cement
Redland City Council complies with asbestos-related legislation. Our staff are informed on the types of waste that could contain asbestos and as a precaution, we treat the following waste as containing asbestos.
- Fibro
- Villa board
- Millboard
- Super six roof sheeting
- Cement sheeting
- Hard flex
- Insulation board
- Backing material on vinyl sheet flooring and tiles
Asbestos safety advice
When removing asbestos materials, it needs to be handled and disposed of very carefully.
Advice on the identification, risks and safe-handling of asbestos has been published by the Australian Government in Asbestos safety for householders and home renovators
Useful safety advice is also available at:
- Asbestos Awareness
- Australian Government:
- Asbestos pages on Queensland Government websites:
Disposal fees
There is no fee for residents (with proof of residency and photo ID).
Commercial operators and non-residents attract a fee. Current fees are available on the Redland City Council fees and charges page.
Disposal at Recycling and Waste Centres
Material containing asbestos or other types of fibre-cement that measures less than 10m2 (or 250kg) can be disposed of at:
- Birkdale Recycling and Waste Centre - residents, non-residents and commercial vehicles
- Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre – residential only
- Coochiemudlo Recycling and Waste Centre – residential, non-residents and commercial vehicles
- Macleay Island Recycling and Waste Centre – residential, non-residential and commercial vehicles
- Russell Island Recycling and Waste Centre – residential, non-residential and commercial vehicles
- North Stradbroke Island Recycling and Waste Centre – residential, non-residential and commercial vehicles
Example dimensions for 10 square metres are 5m x 2m, or 4m x 2.5m.
Anyone disposing of asbestos or other types of fibre-cement must:
- Double wrap the material in 0.2mm thick (durable) plastic sheeting and completely sealed with duct tape and
- Unload it by hand into a designated bin.
Load inspections
Our staff routinely inspect loads arriving at Recycling and Waste Centres.
Anyone carrying asbestos or fibre-cement sheeting that hasn’t been declared to the gatehouse or isn’t wrapped appropriately or measures more than 10m2 / 250kg, will be asked to leave the centre and return once the material is properly wrapped for disposal.
Certification required for large removals
If you are planning to remove up to 10m2 of materials containing asbestos, you do not require an asbestos removal certificate.
Removal of more than 10m2 of material containing asbestos requires a current A or B Class asbestos removal certificate.
- Only registered businesses can hold an A Class certificate.
- Individuals and businesses can hold a B Class certificate.
Find a business or discover how to train for your own certificate at Asbestos removal and licensing on WorkCover Queensland