Aptum applies to store asbestos at Bayswater site

UPDATE: A business spokesman has denied there will be any health risk in storing deadly asbestos at a Bayswater factory, despite fears from nearby traders.

Aptum wants to store asbestos at its Bayswater site. Picture: Kiel Egging.

UPDATE: A business spokesman has denied there will be any health risk in storing deadly asbestos at a Bayswater factory, despite fears from nearby traders.

Knox Leader previously reported the poisonous material could be stored at a factory in the area’s developing business precinct, sparking worry neighbouring businesses could lose trade from concerned customers.

Earthworks and demolition company Aptum has applied to build a transfer station to store non-friable asbestos at 826 Mountain Hwy.

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But an Aptum spokesman said there would be “no chance” of any asbestos becoming airborne with plans for all the products to be double-bagged in heavy-duty plastic.

The spokesman said the EPA was satisfied with the plans and the materials would be monitored 24-hours a day.

“If there is any health risks they wouldn’t let us do it,” he said.

“If it (asbestos) was left out on a job site overnight there’s a risk of vandals getting in and spreading it everywhere.

“If it’s not secure, I’d rather bring it back here where it can be secured.”

The back area of Aptum's Bayswater site.

But Carolina Hinojosa, chief financial officer of nearby Duratray, which produces mining equipment, said potential customers would be put off from visiting the site if they knew asbestos was being stored nearby.

“Many customers will refrain from coming here and we would have to meet with them in the city,” she said.

Becky Buada, director of nearby cafe The Hatter and the Hare, which has up to 500 customers a day on weekends, said she was unaware of the plans until contacted by Knox Leader.

She said she hoped the council refused the application.

Breathing asbestos fibres into the lungs can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Knox councillors will vote on the application at Monday’s meeting.

The meeting agenda recommends the council grant a permit despite receiving nine objections.

The site would only store non-friable asbestos, which was considered a lower health risk as its products cannot be crushed into powder.

The site would include a 10sq m bin which would be emptied every 60 days and placed behind a carport.
Asbestos was banned in Australia in 2003 after it was discovered exposure to the building material’s fibres was likely to cause cancer.

Aptum lists asbestos and hazardous materials management as one of its services on its website.

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