Further information on disaster waste management contact Green Industries SA
Asbestos was a popular building material used widely in Australia until the 1980s. It was banned in 2003 because it can pose a serious health risk.
If your home was constructed before 2003, it may contain components with asbestos fibres. When undisturbed, asbestos does not pose a health hazard. However, when disturbed, asbestos particles will become airborne and dangerous.
If you suspect your property may contain asbestos, the debris must be disposed of safely and securely. Contractors must only enter the site in full personal protective equipment and all debris must be securely bagged and transported in a sealed tray. Not all landfills are equipped to accept and dispose of debris that contains asbestos.
Often the surrounding soil will be scraped to a depth of 10mm. Hard services such as concrete slabs and driveways will not absorb asbestos particles and can be cleaned.
If you are insured, and you have any questions regarding the removal of debris from a property, speak with your insurer.
Some solid and liquid waste is hazardous and is not suitable for the usual collection and disposal methods.
Hazardous waste products include:
Hazardous products should not be put out for garbage collection, buried, or allowed to enter sewer or stormwater systems.
Materials like paint, pesticides, herbicides, poly-pipe and fertilisers can be collected from your fire-affected property free of charge.
Do not decant or mix chemicals, and keep them in the original containers. If you know what chemicals are in the container and the label is not readable, please label the container to assist with identification.
Household chemicals and paint can also be disposed of at one of Green Industries SA’s drop-off depots
Replacing fences or other structures made from permapine – timber treated with copper chrome arsenate (CCA) – must only be done using safe handling procedures:.
More information about handling permapine can be found in these fact sheets:
Permapine (CCA timber) waste - storage and management (EPA) (PDF 186 KB).
McLaren Vale depot
Phone: 08 8327 3914
Phone: 08 8243 2644
Prime Road, Inkerman
Phone: 08 8867 1355
For health and other information related to clean-up and waste management, visit the SA Health 'After a bushfire' webpage