Asbestos Before Demolition in Sydney

Why Sydney needs to take this seriously

Sydney's suburbs were largely built in the decades when asbestos cement was one of Australia's most common building materials. Post-war fibro estates in the west and south-west, brick-veneer houses with fibro eaves and bathrooms, 1970s extensions to older homes, fibro garages and fences — the stock is huge and much of it is now reaching the end of its life.

Demolition is exactly the moment asbestos is most likely to be disturbed. That is why it has to come first.

The one rule

If the house was built or renovated before about 1990, treat it as containing asbestos until a survey shows otherwise.

You cannot identify asbestos by looking. Laboratory analysis of samples is what confirms it.

Where it hides

Outside

• Eaves and soffit linings.
• External wall cladding — flat and textured fibro.
• Corrugated roofing, especially on garages, carports and sheds.
• Fencing.
• Downpipes, flues and gutters on some older houses.

Inside

• Bathroom, laundry and toilet wall and ceiling linings.
• Sheeting behind wall tiles.
• Vinyl floor tiles and underlays.
• Textured ceilings and some older insulation.
• Linings around heaters, stoves and hot water systems.

In the ground

• Fragments from earlier demolitions or renovations.
• Contaminated fill on older sites.

The sequence

1. Survey

A competent person inspects the house and outbuildings, samples suspect materials, and sends them for laboratory analysis. The result identifies what is present, where, how much, and its condition.

2. Plan and price

The licensed removalist prices the removal from the survey. The demolition contractor prices the demolition on the basis that asbestos will be gone. Two separate lines.

3. Notice

Licensed asbestos removal work in NSW generally requires notice to SafeWork NSW before it starts, and approval conditions may require neighbour notification. The removalist manages their regulatory obligations.

4. Removal

The removalist sets up the work area, wets and removes material in controlled conditions, wraps it, and transports it to a licensed disposal facility. Friable asbestos requires a Class A licence. Non-friable removal above small quantities generally requires at least a Class B licence.

5. Clearance

An independent assessor inspects the area and, where required, carries out air monitoring before issuing a clearance certificate.

6. Demolition

Only after clearance does the demolition crew start on that area.

What goes wrong when it is skipped

• Contamination spreads. A machine breaking fibro spreads fragments across the site and often next door.
• Soil remediation. Contaminated soil has to be excavated and disposed of as asbestos waste — far more expensive than the original removal.
• Work stops. Regulators and councils can stop a job.
• The builder waits. A contaminated block cannot be handed over.
• Health risk. To workers, neighbours and the family.

Cost

Asbestos removal cost depends on:

• Quantity — square metres of sheeting, number of locations.
• Type — friable material is more complex and expensive.
• Condition — weathered, broken or damaged material takes more care.
• Access — roofs, confined spaces, and distance to the truck.
• Contaminated soil — the most expensive surprise.

It can range from a modest line for some eaves to many thousands for a fully fibro-clad house with an old garage and contaminated ground. That is why it is surveyed and priced, not guessed. See house demolition cost in Sydney.

Where in Sydney it matters most

Fibro-heavy post-war housing is concentrated across Blacktown, Bankstown, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Penrith, but pre-1990 houses everywhere — from Ryde to the Northern Beaches — are commonly affected.

If you are living in the house

• Do not drill, cut, sand, break or water-blast suspected asbestos.
• Do not attempt DIY removal.
• Keep damaged material undisturbed and children and pets away.
• SafeWork NSW publishes guidance for homeowners.

The honest position on this site

Demolition work arranged through this site is carried out by a licensed NSW demolition contractor. That is not an asbestos removal licence. Asbestos removal is always referred to a separately licensed asbestos removalist and completed, with clearance, before demolition begins. See asbestos-aware demolition.

General information only

Regulations change. Confirm current requirements with SafeWork NSW, your licensed removalist and your certifier or council.

Call 02 5943 7968 or send the job details through.