Bonded Asbestos Removal in Bendigo

What counts as bonded asbestos

Bonded (non-friable) asbestos is asbestos locked into cement or another hard binder. In a Bendigo property it is usually one of these:

• Flat fibro sheet on internal and external walls, often painted to pass as plaster or weatherboard
• Eaves and soffit linings
• Wet-area sheeting behind bathroom and laundry tiles
• Corrugated "super six" roofing on houses, sheds and garages
• Fence panels between neighbours
• Vinyl floor tiles and some sheet vinyl backings
• Flues, downpipes and window putty on older homes

Bonded material can degrade. Hail, fire and decades of weather can break it down until it behaves like friable asbestos, which changes the licence class the job needs.

For how to recognise it on a wall, see asbestos in fibro walls and cladding.

The 10 m² limit in Victoria

Anyone, including a homeowner, may remove up to 10 m² of non-friable asbestos in total without a licence, provided the removal work takes no more than an hour in any seven days. Above that, the work requires a Class B licence or higher.

Ten square metres is roughly one wall of a small bedroom, or a few metres of eaves. Even within the limit, the Victorian Government advises against removing asbestos yourself without asbestos awareness training. Safe DIY removal still needs a P2 respirator, disposable coveralls, wet methods and correct double-wrapping, and the Eaglehawk Landfill application form.

The Bendigo Asbestos Removal process for bonded asbestos removal

Step by step

1. 1

   Inspection

   The material, its area and its condition are confirmed. Anything uncertain is sampled and lab-tested.

2. 2

   Notification

   WorkSafe Victoria is notified at least five days before work over 10 m² starts, or 24 hours before a licensed job of 10 m² or less.

3. 3

   Set-up

   The area is signed and taped off, plastic sheeting is laid under the work, and nearby openings are covered.

4. 4

   Removal

   Sheets are wetted and unscrewed or levered off whole. Cutting, breaking and power tools are avoided, because that is what releases fibres.

5. 5

   Wrapping

   Sheets are stacked on plastic, double-wrapped, taped and labelled for transport.

6. 6

   Clean-down

   The area is cleaned with an asbestos-rated vacuum and wet wipes.

7. 7

   Clearance

   For licensed jobs over 10 m², an independent person inspects the area and issues a clearance certificate.

8. 8

   Disposal

   Wrapped waste goes to a facility licensed to accept asbestos.

What to expect from bonded asbestos removal

• A written quote that names the licence class and lists set-up, removal, clearance and disposal.
• Removal priced mostly by area, with a minimum charge on small jobs.
• A short wait for the WorkSafe notification period before work starts.
• A clearance certificate for jobs over 10 m². Ask for a copy before your builder starts.
• Replacement linings quoted separately, usually by your builder or plasterer.

Bonded asbestos in Bendigo

Bendigo's post-war suburbs are where bonded asbestos is most concentrated. Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square, Eaglehawk, Long Gully and Flora Hill have streets of 1950s–70s fibro and weatherboard homes with asbestos cement in the walls, eaves and wet areas. In central Bendigo and Castlemaine, it's more often in a fibro sleep-out or lean-to added to an older cottage.

Bonded removal across Bendigo and district

Licensed bonded removal is available in Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Strathfieldsaye, Eaglehawk, Golden Square, Castlemaine and Heathcote.

Bonded asbestos removal: common questions