The ACT Government is contemplating suing the Federal Government over the high costs of cleaning up asbestos in Canberra.

Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has been unsuccessful in trying to get the Commonwealth to contribute to the clean-up costs from when they dumped huge amounts of asbestos contaminated soil in Canberra before ACT self-government.

North Weston Ponds site has been the major problem area, which has seen the ACT spend about $30 million in cleaning up and redesigning.

There are other asbestos contaminated areas within Canberra, including Eastlake where huge amounts of contaminated waste has been found which is likely to cost up to $100 million to clean up.

The problem is that the Federal Government is not taking responsibility and the ACT government has a strong belief that Canberra’s taxpayers should not foot the bill for these clean up costs. In order to solve this problem ACT is willing to take legal action.

Some Canberra residents in the past have been diagnosed with asbestos conditions such as mesothelioma caused by relatively low levels of asbestos exposure. Asbestos compensation claims have been made by some of those living in the ACT suffering asbestos conditions.

Authorities have been alerted after an illegal dumping of asbestos was discovered in the Adelaide suburb of Gillman last week.

The deposit, which included at least three bags of asbestos and 100 asbestos pipes, was found at the South Australian Dean Rifle Range, close to where families and dirt bike riders regularly visit.

The uncovered asbestos was discovered during an inspection of dilapidated buildings, and covered ground on both the privately owned property and also property next door belonging to the South Australian government.

Locals have been warned not to approach the site, as even small amounts of asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer.

South Australia mesothelioma compensation claims have resulted from persons being exposed to asbestos.

The asbestos is scheduled to be removed sometime this week by the Environment Protection Authority.

Asbestos found in a power box at Lady Brooks Kindergarten in Kyneton resulted in the Melbourne kindy being shut down for 24 hours last week.

The kindergarten was reopened the following day after the asbestos sheeting had been removed. Macedon Ranges Council has ensured that none of the children have been exposed to asbestos.

All kindergartens managed by the council have been inspected for asbestos. This decision was made after asbestos was found at a kindergarten in the Melbourne town of Woodend in February.

Asbestos exposure is a serious health concern as it can see people develop the asbestos related cancer of mesothelioma later in their lives.

A recent asbestos management report produced by the South Australian Government has revealed the existence of asbestos in a number of public facilities.

273 sites in total were identified as containing asbestos, a dangerous substance that can cause mesothelioma.

The report identified asbestos at 143 sites within the Education Department, which includes schools. Of these, two required urgent removal of the asbestos, while the others required removal as soon as practicable.

The Health department was discovered to contain 37 sites including hospitals, while the Planning department had 93 sites, including sites housing teachers, police officers and other government employees.

The State Government has refused to disclose the locations of the affected sites due to privacy reasons and fears of heightened security risks.