Manuka Oval, located in Canberra, is set to undergo its first renovation in thirty years. The Oval was first constructed in 1924, and asbestos-covered irrigation pipes were inserted into the field in the 1970s.

The $35 million renovation plan involves increasing the number of permanent cricket pitches on the ground, constructing infrastructure for the spectators and erecting a new boundary fence. However the first and foremost task of this redevelopment plan is to remove the asbestos piping.

The asbestos was discovered before the commencement of the other projects, and is not expected to delay the rest of the renovation. David Dawes, director general of the economic development directorate, states that cautionary steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the workers and of the public. According to Dawes, “The contractor will ensure any asbestos pipe found will be dug up, bagged, sealed and removed by licensed specialists in accordance with approved quality control and environment management plans.” Further, Dawes assures it is unlikely that the pipes will be found directly beneath the playing area. It is expected that the initial stage of redevelopment – that is, the clean-up process – will be finished by the end of 2020.

Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd has conducted a study of the Oval. Their report reveals that the soil in the playing area is not likely have been contaminated by the toxic particles, and is considered suitable for re-use in other areas.

Many residents of Canberra have been affected by asbestos conditions in the past. Mesothelioma in Canberra and asbestosis in Canberra have impacted on many. The removal of asbestos from the Australian Capital Territory is important to try and ensure less people in the future in Canberra are not diagnosed with asbestos conditions.

Camden Council in New South Wales has requested that higher bodies of government, such as the State or Federal government, play a greater role in the management and removal of asbestos. This NSW council encourages harsher penalties for people who refuse to comply with asbestos clean-up orders.

This call for help stems from the fact that two homeowners have refused to remove asbestos from their properties, despite being instructed to do so by the Council.

The Council has made progress with one particular Camden South property owner. Asbestos was found in the house after a fire. Once the Council was notified of the dangerous particles, a clean up order was issued, and the insurance company of the asbestos property paid to have the asbestos removed.

However it is more common for property owners to ignore the clean up orders. A house was burnt down last October at Catherine Field, and thereafter asbestos was discovered on the property. Lara Symkowiak, Mayor of Camden, states that the Council issued a clean up direction, however the owners have refused to take action. To this date, the toxic fibres have yet to be removed.

One possible method of addressing the asbestos issue is to have the Council remove it and recover the costs of the removal from the owner. According to Symkowiak, “The costs associated with the clean up of asbestos can be high and the responsibility for compliance should rest with the owner of the site.”

The Council is committed to protecting the health and safety of members of the public. They encourage the State or Federal government to enact legislation that would allow councils to clean-up asbestos and claim the costs as debt against the property.

Asbestos cases in Australia have affected many lives. Many Australians have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Australia and asbestosis in Australia. Such asbestos conditions in Australia need to be prevented in the future, and the eradication of asbestos in such circumstances as described above is one step on this long process.

Recently, concerns have been raised regarding exposure to asbestos following the discovery of asbestos in various schools across Australia, and in Telstra’s National Broadband Network pits.

In response to this, an Australian review of asbestos was conducted by ACTU assistant secretary, Geoff Fary. The review reveals that up to 40,000 Australians are expected to be diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma and lung-cancer, as a result of exposure to these dangerous particles. This toll is higher than the number of Australian lives lost in the battlefield at Flanders, according to Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Bill Shorten. The review also strongly encourages the Federal government to draft a national strategic plan for asbestos management.

Following this review, the Australian government has proposed a national plan to remove the poisonous material from all public buildings by 2030. Victoria is currently the only state that is refusing to sign this national plan.

Victoria claims that the national plan is an “ineffective Labor policy”. Apparently Victoria has already undertaken its own measures to address this pressing issue. According to Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips, Victoria has a memorandum of understanding between the Victorian WorkCover Authority, the Environment Protection Authority, and the Victorian Department of Health. Kristy McSweeney, spokeswoman for the Victorian government, has stated that although Victoria encourages continual cross-jurisdictional discussion on the issue, the most effective way of managing asbestos would be to address it on a state level.

Bill Shorten has accused Victoria of “grandstanding” and encourages Victoria to join in the nationwide attempt to “rid Australia of the fatal fibre”.

Mesothelioma in Australia and asbestosis in Australia is a major problem. Treatment of mesothelioma in Australia has made some inroads in the past few years, but many people in Australia are still passing away as a result of this condition. It is hoped asbestos in Australia can be removed to prevent asbestos conditions in Australia becoming an increasing problem.