Blacktown City Council is urging residents to think twice before starting renovations as part of Global Asbestos Awareness Week (1–7 April 2026).
Blacktown City Council is reminding homeowners and renovators to check for asbestos before starting any work, as part of a state-wide push to reduce health risks during Global Asbestos Awareness Week. The council is warning that homes built before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos, which was used in over 3,000 building products before being banned in 2003. Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to serious health conditions, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world, with over 4,000 deaths each year from conditions linked to asbestos exposure. In New South Wales alone, 126 cases of asbestosis and 269 cases of mesothelioma were reported in 2024–25, resulting in 213 deaths. Blacktown, with its significant stock of older housing, faces particular risks, as many fibro homes built before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos materials.
The council is advising residents to follow safety guidelines, including using licensed professionals for asbestos removal. A SafeWork NSW licence is required to remove more than 10 square metres of bonded (non-friable) asbestos, while any amount of friable asbestos must be handled by a licensed removalist. SafeWork NSW also offers a free online Asbestos Awareness & Safety course, which has seen over 20,000 enrolments and is available in English and Chinese.
From 14 October 2022, SafeWork NSW inspectors have been empowered to issue on-the-spot fines to workers who fail to follow safe asbestos removal procedures. These include using high-pressure water on asbestos roofs or improperly disturbing asbestos-containing materials.
For those unsure about asbestos in their homes, the council recommends visiting Blacktown City Council’s asbestos safety page for guidance on safe handling and disposal. Residents can also contact SafeWork NSW for further information on licensing and safety courses.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of Australia as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know here. You're part of the process.
