At last! Action on Asbestos at Princess Wharf

Unions Tasmania Tasmanian Branch of the ACTU
Media Release Thursday, 27 May 2010

At last! Action on Asbestos at Princess Wharf

One Less Poisonous Roof in Tasmania

Unions Tasmania today welcomed the news that work will soon begin on removing the ageing asbestos roof from Princess Wharf shed no 1.

Asbestos is a class one carcinogen with no safe level of exposure.

Unions Tasmania, Secretary Simon Cocker also urged the Government to rapidly move ahead with its plan to establish an asbestos policy unit.

Unions Tasmania Secretary, Simon Cocker said:

“I want to congratulate the State Government on its plan to reroof Shed 1 as part of the redevelopment.”

“This is one less roof in Tasmania leaking asbestos fibres into our environment – one less poisonous roof.”

“We hope that other building owners across the state will take note of this and be motivated to put together a plan to remove asbestos from their buildings as well.”

“We need a system of prioritised removal of asbestos in Tasmania to rid ourselves of this class one cancer causing material.”

“We need to ensure that there is not a third and fourth wave of asbestos related diseases as the asbestos containing materials in our homes, workplaces and other buildings reach the end of their working lives. The sooner the promised asbestos unit begins its work the safer Tasmanian will be.”
Simon Cocker Unions Tasmania