Residents of various Victorian towns are banding together in order to clean up the trail of mess left behind by various tornadoes. In particular, the towns of Mulwala, Yarrawonga, Bundalong, Koonoomoo and Rutherglen were the most affected by these tornadoes.

Residents have begun the clean-up by clearing away debris, fixing fences and sheets and replacing lost roofs and walls. There is also rubbish, shattered glass and fallen trees littered across streets that needs attending to. However, the most pressing and dangerous issue by far is asbestos.

Since most of the houses in these areas were built before or during 1970s, it is likely that many of them contain asbestos. During that time, asbestos proved to be a very popular source amongst home constructors and builders, as it was fire resistant, water resistant and extremely versatile. Amongst other places, asbestos was found in metal sheeting at Denison County Caravan Park, Mulwala, NSW.

Asbestos expert removers, fire and rescue crews have conducted reports and assessments on the areas that are known to contain asbestos or asbestos fibres. As an extra safety precaution, crews identified buildings that were likely to contain asbestos, and closed off these areas to members of the public. Fire and Rescue NSW member Jeremy Stubbs has stated that they are not letting anybody touch anything or be in close proximity to the sites until the asbestos has been safely removed. The main priority at the moment is to “move to recovery phase and make things safe.”

Asbestos must be removed with care and caution, as asbestos fibres can be detrimental to the human health when inhaled. It can lead to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer.

In Australia mesothelioma compensation (or asbestos compensation in Australia, or asbestosis compensation in Australia) is available to those who unfortunately do contract mesothelioma. There have been incidences of those undertaking clean up work, including firefighters, developing asbestos related conditions, following relatively low exposure to asbestos in Australia.

Geelong council in Victoria has finally passed its clean-up plans for asbestos that was illegally dumped at Corio Bay 10 months ago onto the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The Victorian council managed area is covered with broken corrugated asbestos sheets.

Council’s clean-up plan has been developed through negotiations with the Department of Sustainability and Environment and asbestos management experts. The plan includes short term actions including collecting the pieces of the scattered asbestos by hand and sealing off part of the area and also long term monitoring procedures.

The EPA has confirmed that they have received the final asbestos report from the Geelong City Council this week and they will now start the review process. The delay in getting this clean-up plan to EPA for approval is worrying as exposure to asbestos is extremely dangerous and can lead to people contracting asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

The number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma in Australia is expected to rise. This paired with Australia having one of the highest rates of asbestos related diseases in the world makes asbestos management and removal extremely important.

Many people in Victoria have suffered asbestos conditions. Asbestos compensation in Victoria, including mesothelioma claims in Victoria, are supported by specific Victorian asbestos legislation designed to assist those Victorians who suffer asbestos conditions pursue such legal rights.

Wollongong City Council has responded to asbestos being found in the Coalcliff surf club storage shed by ensuring access to the area has been sealed off. The asbestos found is bonded asbestos fragments and it has been confirmed that no other areas like the surf club or road to the clubhouse have been contaminated.

Council is quickly taking action by hiring an environmental hygienist to examine the site and formulate an asbestos removal plan. They have also warned those heading to the beach not to enter the taped-off area until the asbestos concerns are resolved.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to people contracting asbestos related illnesses such as asbestosis, asbestos related pleural disease and mesothelioma. The asbestos fibers found in Coalcliff are bound together meaning they are less likely to pose a risk to people’s health. However all necessary precautions should still be followed as asbestos related diseases are extremely dangerous especially mesothelioma.

Asbestos related conditions in Australia, such as mesothelioma in Australia, are on the rise. Unfortunately, Australia has once of the highest incidences of mesothelioma in the world. Various states in Australia have brought in measures to help deal with this issue. For example, persons suffering an asbestos condition in NSW can make an asbestos claim in New South Wales through the Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales. Persons suffering an asbestos condition in South Australia can make an asbestos claim in South Australia through the District Court of South Australia. Whilst persons suffering asbestos conditions in Victoria can make an asbestos claim in Victoria through the Supreme Court of Victoria.

All these states have specific legislation to help those wanting to make an asbestos compensation claim in Australia.

Clumps of asbestos have been discovered at the Kennedy Drive construction site in Tweed Heads, New South Wales. The asbestos is being cleared with council workers wearing HAZMAT suits to safety remove the toxic material. The Tweed Shire Council has confirmed they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the community is not exposed to asbestos.

The work will include removing all contaminated fill from the site in accordance with current laws and having an occupational hygienist carry out air monitoring during construction works. Council has said that because the asbestos was clumped together it can be seen as less dangerous.

However all these precautions are necessary as inhaling asbestos fibres can lead to people contracting asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. While there is mesothelioma treatment available in Australia, the disease is often incurable and the number of new mesothelioma cases in Australia is expected to rise within the next decade.

This, along with Australia having one of the highest rates of asbestos related illnesses in the world, demonstrates how important asbestos management and removal is in Australia. For those who have unfortunately been diagnosed with an asbestos related condition there is legislation in some Australian states, including in NSW and South Australia, to help those suffering asbestos conditions pursue an asbestos compensation claim in Australia. This includes both asbestosis compensation in Australia and mesothelioma compensation in Australia.