Page 1925 - Week 09 - Thursday, 19 October 1989
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Canberra residents who wish to have asbestos sheeting removed prior to work being completed are forced to use the services of a few licensed asbestos removalists. Can the Minister advise as to why licensed ACT builders should not be permitted to remove asbestos sheeting by following approved removal procedures and observing the necessary safety precautions, as occurs in New South Wales?
My answer to the member's question is as follows: The current legislation was enacted before self-government and requires removal of asbestos sheeting by a licensed asbestos removalist. The number of removalists is determined by market forces.
Asbestos sheeting may contain 20 to 30 per cent asbestos and, if not handled carefully, could pose a risk to public health. While it remains in place it does not present any significant risk to health.
The current removal procedures may have been appropriate at the time they were introduced but ACT builders now have a better appreciation of the problem.
I am aware of the demands of the current requirements and I have asked my department to review them bearing in mind the need to ensure worker safety.
A draft building note detailing possible future procedures is being discussed with industry and unions. I believe the suggested procedures should meet the wishes of all groups while ensuring that public health is not jeopardised.
I see no reason at this stage for the Government to consider meeting the relatively small cost of asbestos sheeting removal required by owners who are undertaking extensions or renovations.
Burnie Court Flats
Mrs Grassby: In question time yesterday the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Kaine, asked whether the ACT Housing Trust has yet examined ways of improving living conditions at some of its major flat complexes. I asked the Housing Trust to undertake this examination following media coverage in August of a problem at Burnie Court, Lyons.
In relation to Burnie Court, officers of my department have since met with a range of government and non-government representatives - including the police - who have some involvement with Burnie Court.
Much of the problem at Burnie Court relates to the high concentration of low-income, young single residents. Any major solution would seem to require some diversification of the household mix at the flat complex. The Housing Trust is examining how this might be achieved. At present
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