Asbestos waste isn’t ordinary rubbish. How it’s packaged, transported and disposed of is strictly regulated in Queensland.
Once asbestos has been removed, the job isn’t finished until the waste is safely at a licensed facility. Asbestos can’t go into household bins, general skip bins, kerbside collections or recycling. When you book removal through us, a licensed local removalist manages the whole process from removal through to disposal, so you’re not left with a pile of wrapped sheeting and a list of rules to work through.
Cairns Regional Council accepts asbestos at the Portsmith Transfer Station, 35–51 Lyons Street, Portsmith, open 8:30am to 5:15pm, seven days a week. It is the only Council transfer station that takes asbestos — Smithfield, Gordonvale and Babinda do not.
Portsmith only accepts domestic quantities weighing less than 175 kilograms in total, in small, manageable bundles no longer than 2,400 millimetres. Council requires asbestos to be double-wrapped in 0.2 millimetre plastic, sealed with tape and labelled, and residents must unload it themselves into the designated asbestos bin.
Commercial quantities cannot go to Portsmith. Council notes that private landfills in the Cairns area accept commercial quantities of asbestos, and a licensed removalist will arrange this as part of the job.
If your property is outside the Cairns Regional Council area, keep in mind that Douglas Shire, the Tablelands councils and Cassowary Coast each have their own waste facilities and asbestos acceptance rules. For example, Douglas Shire’s Killaloe Transfer Station accepts asbestos by appointment only (Killaloe Weighbridge, 07 4098 4904). The removalist will confirm the right facility for your job.
What about removing small amounts yourself? Queensland homeowners can remove up to 10 square metres of bonded asbestos from their own home without a licence, provided it is done safely. To remove more, Queensland law requires a certificate from an approved asbestos removal course. Friable asbestos must only ever be removed by a Class A licensed removalist. This page isn’t a do-it-yourself guide — if you’re unsure what the material is, how much there is or the correct procedure, please get professional advice before touching it.
Every quote includes a clear written scope, so you’ll know how your asbestos will be packaged, transported and disposed of, which licensed facility it’s going to, and what documentation you’ll receive. If you get a quote from anyone else, always check in writing whether disposal is included — a low removal price that leaves the waste to you isn’t a bargain.
For current disposal conditions, contact Cairns Regional Council (Portsmith Transfer Station, 35–51 Lyons Street, Portsmith) before transporting any material, as rules, fees and booking requirements can change. For state-wide rules, visit the Queensland Government asbestos website (asbestos.qld.gov.au).
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