Contact
Have questions or want to learn more about this policy? Contact:
| Name | Michael Ryan |
|---|---|
| Phone | 02 9392 5597 |
| michael.ryan@innerwest.nsw.gov.au |
Project stages
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Timeline item 1 - active
Open
This stage is now completed.
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Timeline item 2 - incomplete
Under Review
Contributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review.
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Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Council decision
Council will consider a report including community feedback before it makes its final decision.
What happens next?
After the public exhibition, a report including your feedback will be presented to Council for consideration. Everyone who provides feedback will be informed when the report is considered by Council.
At its meeting on Tuesday 25 August 2026, Council endorsed the revised Asbestos Policy for public exhibition.
What is this policy about?
The Policy outlines the required handling of asbestos to protect workers, residents and the community by guiding education, land management, regulatory responsibilities and safe workplace practices across the Inner West.
This policy outlines Inner West Council's commitment and responsibilities for asbestos management and to protect the health of employees, contractors, volunteers, visitors, and members of the community by eliminating and minimising, so far as is reasonably practicable, exposure to asbestos fibres in and around Inner West Council’s Local Government Area.
This policy applies to the Inner West LGA. The policy provides information for Council workers, the local community and wider public. The policy outlines Council's commitment and responsibilities in relation to safely managing asbestos and contains general advice. The policy does not provide detail on specific procedures. Practical guidance on how to manage risks associated with asbestos and asbestos containing material can be found in the:
- Code of practice on how to manage and control asbestos in the workplace (catalogue no. WC03560) published by SafeWork NSW
- Code of practice on how to safely remove asbestos (catalogue no. WC03561) published by SafeWork NSW
- Managing asbestos in or on soils published by NSW WorkCover March 2014
- Managing Asbestos Concerns in the Community – Guide for NSW Councils
- Detailed information on Council's procedures and plans for staff may be found in Council’s Asbestos Management Plan.
What has changed?
The main difference between the draft Policy and Council’s current 2019 Asbestos Management Policy is that the draft Policy is shorter, more contemporary and better aligned with current NSW legislation, SafeWork NSW Codes of Practice, Office of Local Government guidance and the LGNSW/State Government model template. The new draft Policy is therefore easier to red and simpler to understand. In contrast the current Policy contains extensive procedural detail, operational guidance and legacy legislative references, which obscures important relevant information. The draft Policy moves much of that detail into supporting documents and instead establishes a clearer governance framework focused on community education, regulatory responsibilities and workplace health and safety obligations.
Have your say
You can provide feedback by:
- Completing the form below
- Emailing to michael.ryan@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
- Posting to c/o Michael Ryan, Inner West Council, Po Box 14, Petersham NSW 2049
- Calling us on 02 9392 5597
Other ways to provide feedback:
- Call a FREE Interpreter or the National Relay Service, Monday to Friday between 9am-4pm and provide our phone number 02 9392 5597
- Free Interpreter call TIS National on 131 450
- Voice relay call 1300 555 727
- TTY call 133 677
- SMS relay call 0423 677 767
Last day to provide feedback is 20 October 2026
