Asbestos materials were discovered by ULSC staff in both the Bigga and Taralga waste centres.

In Bigga, they were located near a skip and transported to Crookwell to be buried on June 15.

In Taralga, within a week, asbestos was discovered in a load at the waste centre while an employee was compacting the waste within the landfill.

The site was immediately shut down and SafeWork NSW was contacted.

On June 26 in Gunning, asbestos materials were discovered near the landfill area of the facility. 

According to ULSC acting general manager Gary Woodman, an accredited asbestos assessor inspected the sites and provided a clearance certificate indicating the area was sufficiently covered.

While the Crookwell landfill accepts asbestos materials by appointment, asbestos was also found at the Crookwell facility within a load of builder’s waste.

This was on June 26.

Mr Woodman said part of the upgrade for the Upper Lachlan waste centres would include the installation of CCTV. 

“Up until recently, asbestos had not been found at council’s waste facilities. On occasions, asbestos has been illegally dumped on the roadside which requires our trained asbestos removers to remove and dispose of appropriately,” he said. 

“The cost of remediating a site contaminated by asbestos varies, depending on the level of contamination. However, the cost can run into the tens of thousands.”

The costs to remove the illegal materials were covered by the council’s Waste Fund.

A perpetrator has not yet been identified for the four incidents.

“While council was able to trace back where the materials were dumped, so far we have been unable to identify the perpetrators of the illegal dumping,” Mr Woodman said.

“Council strongly encourages anyone with information about these incidents or any other circumstances of the illegal dumping of asbestos to contact the EPA on 131 555.”