Bushfires that have swept through the Tasmanian town of Dunalley in January 2013 have left potentially deadly asbestos material exposed in both residential and community areas.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited the devastated area today, including a visit to Dunalley Primary School. The school has been reduced to a heap of twisted metal and shattered asbestos sheeting, and Gillard has today made a commitment to rebuild this local amenity.

Prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos fibres can lead to the onset of potentially fatal conditions such as asbestosis. Small amounts of exposure to asbestos can lead to the condition of malignant mesothelioma.

It is not unusual that asbestos has been found in Tasmania in this form. Asbestos is typically found in all residential buildings constructed prior to about the mid 1980s. The hazardous nature of asbestos necessitates its swift, expert removal when exposure to its dusts may occur.

Tasmanian locals are calling for a swift removal of the deadly asbestos, some reporting that asbestos was found in 8 out of 10 devastated homes in their vicinity. Clean up initiatives should be prioritized to prevent the spread of asbestos and minimise potential exposure to it.

Asbestos compensation legislation in Australia has been introduced into Tasmania and states such as NSW, Victoria and South Australia, allowing those who contract an asbestos-related condition to pursue an asbestosis claim or mesothelioma claim.

Despite asbestos stalling the $4 million rebuild of the Fairhaven, Victoria surf life saving clubhouse in November of last year, the club is still paying $4,300 a week to builders to keep fencing on site and their contract alive.

Asbestos was discovered at the site after the demolition of clubrooms which were built in the 1960s. The club is now calling for support from the Victorian State Government, local Council and the public to help them remove all asbestos from the site. The removal of asbestos is extremely important as even minimal exposure to asbestos can lead to a person contracting an asbestos related illness such as mesothelioma.

The club has now been forced to operate safety patrols and nipper programs from an old container and trailer. However both the club and Victorian Government have confirmed they are working together to remove all asbestos and resume the rebuilt.

Victoria, along with other states in Australia such as NSW and South Australia, now have legislation in place to assist people in pursuing an asbestos compensation claims. Asbestos compensation claims in Victoria such as mesothelioma compensation claims in Victoria, are assisted by legislation ensuring a speedy process occurs.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council in New South Wales have been asked by Yass Valley Council if they could dispose of asbestos which was removed from a fire damaged building, in the Goulburn tip as they do not hold the required licence.

Mayor of Goulburn Mulwaree Council has confirmed that the council has agreed to allow the asbestos waste to be dumped. However this would have an impact on their tip so the two councils have been in financial negotiations and Goulburn is still waiting to see if Yass Valley is bringing the asbestos to them.

The Mayor is assuring the Goulburn community that there will be no risk to the public’s health if the asbestos is to be dumped in Goulburn tip. Yass Valley Council will be making sure the waste is transported safely and then tip employees who are fully qualified will be handling the asbestos waste.

These safety precautions are extremely important as even minimal exposure to asbestos can lead to a person contracting an asbestos related illness such as mesothelioma.

Australia was a large user of asbestos in the past and the unfortunate legacy is that asbestos diseases, especially mesothelioma which is expected to peak within the next decade, have become major health concerns. Residents all over Australia have been affected, including in such places as Goulburn. Many of those suffering asbestos conditions have pursued asbestos compensation claims in Australia to ensure their family’s interests are looked after.

Asbestos Audits Queensland has released a new book called identifying Asbestos in your Home. The book warns home renovators of the risk of asbestos in floor coverings. The book which has been the recipient of Queensland government funding aims to assist homeowners and renovators identify any asbestos in their homes.

Brain Sketcher, author of the book and General Manger of Asbestos Audits Queensland, has said that prior to 1990, asbestos was used in all different types of floor coverings. Therefore floor coverings in homes built in and earlier than the 1980s have a good chance of containing asbestos.

This is extremely dangerous as many people are not aware that asbestos was used in their floors so they go ahead with maintenance or renovation work on their floor coverings causing serious health risks. Maintenance and renovation work on flooring such as sanding or grinding can lead to asbestos fibres becoming airborne and result in people inhaling asbestos particles. Such exposure to asbestos can lead to those people contracting asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Due to asbestos related diseases being such a major health concern for Australia, some Australian states including Queensland and NSW have legislation in place to help people pursue an asbestos compensation claim, including both asbestosis compensation and mesothelioma compensation in Australia.