Page 3395 - Week 09 - Thursday, 22 August 2019
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Ms Stephen-Smith: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) As of 5 August 2019, a total of nine premises do not have a current Asbestos Management Plan.
(2) The cost of engaging a Licensed Asbestos Assessor to inspect, prepare and provide an Asbestos Management Plan is dependent on the contract between the home owner and the assessor. The initial report usually incurs a higher cost and is lower for ongoing inspections or an update of an Asbestos Management Plan. Asbestos Management Plans are required to be updated every two years. It is understood that the cost of an Asbestos Management Plan varies between approximately $300 and $1,500.
(3) There have been no requests for financial assistance to the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate or Worksafe ACT. Homeowners experiencing significant financial hardship can approach the Asbestos Response Taskforce to seek a partial release of funds from their Relocation Assistance Grant (RAG) equal to the cost of obtaining an Asbestos Contamination Report for their affected property. That amount will be deducted from the final RAG package payment.
(4) WorkSafe ACT has jurisdictional power to enforce compliance under section 342 the Dangerous Substance Regulations 2004 (the Regulation) which requires homeowners to obtain an Asbestos Management Plan. Section 342 of the Regulation has no penalty provisions. WorkSafe ACT has the option to issue an Improvement Notice under section 100 of the Dangerous Substance Act 2004 (the Act) to assist with compliance. Failure to comply with the requirements of an Improvement Notice may potentially be referred for prosecution under section 107 of the Act. The maximum penalty for contravening the requirements of an Improvement Notice under section 107 of the Act is 100 penalty units ($15,000.00).
(5) As is outlined in the response to QTON E19-372 from the Select Committee on Estimates 2019-20, WorkSafe ACT sent correspondence to non-compliant homeowners of loose fill affected properties outlining the requirements of the legislation to obtain an Asbestos Management Plan through a licensed asbestos assessor and further regulatory action that could be taken.
(6) To date ACT Government has not undertaken any enforcement or compliance actions against Mr Fluffy owners. WorkSafe ACT has forwarded a total of six engagement letters to non-compliant homeowners informing them of the requirements to obtain an Asbestos Management Plan and encouraging them to do so.
(7) WorkSafe ACT has informed non-compliant homeowners to comply with the Regs or an Improvement Notice under section 100 of the Act may be forthcoming. WorkSafe ACT is still engaging with homeowners to encourage them to obtain an Asbestos Management Plan. The issue of Improvement Notices to households that continue to be non-compliant will be undertaken on a case-by-case basis.
Sport—Manuka Oval
(Question No 2609)
Mr Coe asked the Minister for Tourism and Special Events, upon notice, on 2 August 2019 (redirected to the Treasurer):
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