For decades the town of Terowie in South Australia has been used as an asbestos dumping ground. However, this is not the result of illegal dumping – the town is the property of the South Australian Government. Despite this, there is no fencing, no warning signs and the Government seems to be in no rush to clear the asbestos from the area even with concerns that asbestos may make its way into a nearby playground and school.
The asbestos is located down at the southern rail yards where the ground is covered with broken pieces of asbestos. A local resident has suggested the contamination covers up to three kilometres. These broken asbestos pieces and old asbestos roof sheeting now cover ground close to a popular walking trail and locals fear that these bits of asbestos are so tiny that people will easily walk over them without realizing their health may be in danger.
Terowie has been described as a forgotten town since the train station was abandon and dismantled in the 1970s leaving behind the asbestos debris that still remains there today.
Locals have been complaining about the asbestos contamination in Terowie for years and the State Government has failed to resolve this situation. Considering Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos related diseases in the world and the number of new mesothelioma cases is expected to rise, the Government should be working toward ridding Terowie of all toxic asbestos.
For those people who have unfortunately contracted an asbestos related disease there is legislation in South Australia to assist those with an asbestos condition to make a claim. Asbestos compensation in South Australia, including mesothelioma claims in South Australia, are assisted by such specific South Australian legislation.
