Asbestos Disposal in Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory asbestos is a listed waste, disposal facilities are limited to a handful of regional centres, and an approval and booking are usually required before you arrive.
Where asbestos waste can go
Asbestos waste must go to a facility licensed to receive it. The main sites are Shoal Bay (Darwin), and waste management facilities at Katherine, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy, each requiring approval and, usually, an appointment. Asbestos can't go in residential bins or be dumped, recycled or reused.
Official facility list: NT Government: asbestos disposal locations.
Find a licensed disposal facility in Northern Territory
Browse waste disposal facilities listed on Asbestos List for Northern Territory.
View NT disposal facilities →Who can remove and dispose of it
A householder can remove up to 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos themselves; more than that, or any friable asbestos, needs a licensed removalist. Facilities set their own conditions. Alice Springs needs 24 hours' notice, and Shoal Bay limits domestic disposal to 10 square metres or less and won't accept a booking without an approval number, so apply and book before you go.
How to package and label it
However you get asbestos to a facility, it has to be contained the same way:
- Keep the material wet and intact. Never break, cut or sand it to make it fit.
- Double-wrap sheets, or double-bag smaller pieces and dust, in heavy-duty 200-micron (0.2 mm) polythene plastic.
- Seal every join and bag opening with strong adhesive tape so nothing can escape.
- Fill bags no more than half full, then twist, fold and tape the neck closed.
- Label each package clearly as asbestos waste, for example "CAUTION ASBESTOS: DO NOT INHALE DUST".
Transporting and tracking the waste
Any asbestos removed commercially or for a fee must be transported by an operator holding an environment protection licence. Householders moving their own asbestos don't need a transport licence. For questions about moving or disposing of asbestos, contact the NT EPA on (08) 8924 4218.
Penalties for getting it wrong
Dumping asbestos, putting it in residential bins, or recycling, reusing or selling it are all illegal under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998. Report illegal disposal to the NT EPA Pollution Hotline on 1800 064 567.
Specific to Northern Territory
- Disposal sites are limited, and some remote facilities accept asbestos only at set times. Gove, for example, takes it one week, twice a year.
- Shoal Bay requires an approval number before it will accept a booking.
- Gove (Nhulunbuy) only accepts asbestos from the Gove Peninsula, up to 15 tonnes a year, and loads over 100 kg must be palletised.
Who regulates this
- NT Environment Protection AuthorityTransport, storage and disposal of asbestos waste
- NT WorkSafeAsbestos removal licensing
Not sure you should handle it yourself? Find a licensed asbestos removalist on Asbestos List, or read the Class A vs Class B licence guide to understand who can do what.
This information is a general reference for Northern Territory and can change. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant regulator and the receiving facility before transporting or disposing of asbestos waste.