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.
