CENTRAL Goldfields Shire has been fined $7929 for burning off cement sheeting that was later found to contain asbestos.
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The burn-off occurred at Penney Lane in Flagstaff, on Maryborough’s eastern fringe, on June 25.
The Environment Protection Authority was notified by a member of the public to investigate.
EPA north west manager Scott Pigdon said the shire failed to conduct “a thorough assessment” of the waste materials before they were burnt.
“The industrial waste that was burnt contained various wastes, but fibrous cement sheeting found on site was later confirmed to contain asbestos,” he said.
“EPA expects that all waste is disposed to an appropriate licensed or permitted facility and doesn’t tolerate the inappropriate burning of industrial waste materials.”
Dr Pigdon said fires involving asbestos-containing material do not cause a risk to health for people in the surrounding area.