Call to remove 'unacceptable' asbestos littering Nightcliff and Rapid Creek beaches

The local member for Nightcliff says it a long-overdue matter of public health to remove historic asbestos waste littering popular northern suburbs beaches.

Asbestos fragments uncovered on Darwin's most popular dog walking beach at the mouth of Rapid Creek. Picture Glenn Campbell

The local member for Nightcliff says it a long-overdue matter of public health to remove historic asbestos waste littering popular northern suburbs beaches.

Chunks of asbestos litter Nightcliff and Rapid Creek beaches from construction waste and debris dumped in the area after World War II and Cyclone Tracy.

There are small, rusty signs along the foreshore warning not to touch any of the material known to cause serious and life-threatening illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Greens MLA Kat McNamara said the lack of action by consecutive governments to clean up the beaches was unacceptable.

“In no other jurisdiction would asbestos be allowed to remain on a public beach. This laissez-faire attitude to the public’s safety is not good enough,” she said.

“The removal of this asbestos is long-overdue. Territorians deserve to have their health taken seriously.”

Greens Nightcliff MLA Kat McNamara. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The NT Chief Health Officer Paul Burgess said the risk from the historic asbestos waste was minimal.

“Previous risk assessments have determined that the asbestos contamination of the beach poses very low risk to human health if left alone,” he said.

“Signage is erected around the contaminated area to inform beachgoers of the presence of asbestos and advise to not disturb or handle suspected asbestos material.”

McNamara’s call comes amid National Asbestos Awareness Week.

NT WorkSafe reminded Territorians the dangers of ageing and deteriorating asbestos.

“Asbestos was previously used in thousands of building products, which are now 30 years or older,” the safety watchdog said in a statement.

“Asbestos products in good condition are not a health risk. However, the older these products become the more likely they are to release harmful asbestos fibres as they deteriorate or become damage over time.

“Buildings built before 1990 are very likely to have asbestos present, and if these buildings are commercial properties, there is a requirement to have an asbestos management plan and register.”

Originally published as Call to remove 'unacceptable' asbestos littering Nightcliff and Rapid Creek beaches