Appendix C: Audit scope and method
Download a PDF copy of Appendix C: Audit scope and method.
Appendix B: Abbreviations, acronyms and glossary
Download a PDF copy of Appendix B: Abbreviations, acronyms and glossary.
Appendix A: Submissions and comments
Download a PDF copy of Appendix A: Submissions and comments.
4. Monitoring and enforcing the law on asbestos disposal
Agencies can observe, inspect and investigate people and businesses involved with asbestos disposal to make sure they are complying with the law. They can also fine, warn, and take other actions against anyone who dumps asbestos.
But agencies do not coordinate their approach to monitoring and enforcement. The type and severity of compliance actions they take depends on where the asbestos was dumped, and which agency cleaned it up.
3. Making it easier to legally and safely dispose of asbestos
While information about how to safely remove and dispose of asbestos is widely available, it is not always complete.
This can make it difficult for people to know where to take asbestos. Different landfills and other collection points also have different costs and conditions for accepting asbestos. The lack of clarity can be confusing and could deter people from disposing of asbestos correctly.
2. Understanding the scale of asbestos dumping in Victoria
The government does not understand the scale of asbestos dumping across Victoria.
This is because responsible agencies do not systematically collect, use and share data about the frequency and location of illegal asbestos disposal.
Doing this would support the efforts of land managers and regulators to reduce illegal disposal.
The government also does not know where and how much asbestos is still in Victorian buildings and structures. This information would help the government forecast patterns of illegal disposal and plan for future infrastructure needs.
1. Audit context
Many Victorian homes and workplaces contain asbestos. When asbestos products are damaged or disturbed they can release fibres that threaten the health of anyone who inhales them. The government regulates asbestos removal and disposal to reduce this risk.
What we found
This section summarises our key findings. The chapters detail our complete findings, including supporting evidence.
When reaching our conclusions, we consulted with the audited agencies and considered their views. The agencies’ full responses are in Appendix A.
Our key findings
Our findings fall into 3 key areas:
Our recommendations
We made 7 recommendations to address 3 issues. The relevant agencies have accepted the recommendations in full or in principle.
Responses to Performance Engagement Recommendations: Annual Status Update 2023
This dashboard provides transparency to the Victorian public and parliamentarians on agencies’ responses to our performance engagement recommendations.
Our performance engagements assess whether government agencies are effectively and efficiently meeting their objectives, using resources economically and complying with legislation. They often identify opportunities for improvement, which are reflected in our recommendations.