Asbestos removal in Castlemaine

Castlemaine's housing and where asbestos hides

Castlemaine's heritage streetscapes are dominated by 19th-century brick, stone and timber homes. The original fabric of those houses predates asbestos, so the asbestos is usually in what came later:

• Mid-century additions. Fibro kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and sleep-outs added to the rear.
• Wet areas renovated between the 1950s and 1980s, with asbestos sheeting behind tiles.
• Flues and heater surrounds from old wood and gas heaters.
• Post-war infill homes in fibro and weatherboard, across Castlemaine and Campbells Creek.
• Rural buildings around Harcourt and Chewton, such as orchard sheds, machinery sheds and old tank stands with asbestos cement roofs.

Heritage overlays apply to many Castlemaine properties. Removing asbestos from a heritage building doesn't change the licence rules, but replacement materials and external changes may need council advice before work starts.

Disposal in Mount Alexander Shire

Households in the Shire can't use Greater Bendigo's Eaglehawk Landfill drop-off as their local option. Mount Alexander Shire's asbestos disposal point is the Castlemaine Transfer Station:

• Booking only. Read the Shire's asbestos disposal guide, then phone (03) 5471 1700.
• Small domestic quantities of correctly packaged non-friable asbestos.
• Double-wrapped and sealed, following the Shire's guide.
• Fees apply.

Larger loads, friable material and commercial waste go with a licensed removalist to an EPA-licensed facility.

What a Castlemaine job involves

1. Testing of suspect material by an accredited laboratory, often before a renovation of an older home.
2. A site visit and written quote covering the licence class, controls, clearance and disposal.
3. WorkSafe notification by the licence holder before work starts.
4. Licensed removal, with independent air monitoring for friable work.
5. An independent clearance certificate before the area is reused.

Jobs in Castlemaine, about 40 km south of Bendigo on the Calder Highway, may include travel time in the quote.

Asbestos in Castlemaine: common questions