The Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce has presented 21 recommendations to the Victorian government, focussing on minimising the risks of asbestos exposure.
Taskforce chair and Latrobe Health Advocate Jane Anderson said the recommendation included increasing awareness and training, behaviour change programs, and strengthening regulations.
“The most-needed change identified by the taskforce is the management of asbestos in residential properties,” Ms Anderson said.
“There is no clear line of authority, and it is very concerning that across all sectors of the community, the real impacts and risks of asbestos exposure are not fully understood.
“The absence of one central body that takes responsibility for residential asbestos means that people don’t know where to go for help, and so they can’t readily access the information needed.”
Ms Anderson said 4500 Australians a year died from asbestos-related disease, making it “absolutely essential” that information and education programs are rolled-out as soon as possible.
The recommendations also include new restrictions to the way homeowners handle any asbestos-containing materials on their own properties, to align with the rules that contractors must follow.
“While there have been safeguards in place for many years for workers who may come into contact with asbestos, unfortunately these have not been extended to our homes,” Ms Anderson said.
“And we know there is far more asbestos in our homes than in our workplaces. It is a significant problem that is not going away.
“The implementation of these recommendations will change the approach to managing legacy asbestos right across the whole state, and will result in lives being saved.”
