Cleaning up illegally-dumped asbestos cost Greater Dandenong Council more than $30,000 last financial year.
This was almost double the previous 12 months’ $16,000 clean-up bill.
The council received 41 confirmed reports of dumped asbestos in 2015/16 compared to 23 the year before.
The largest illegal dump cost almost $2500 to dispose of safely.
City planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman said all residents had a responsibility to ensure asbestos was disposed correctly.
“Residents who are planning on undertaking repairs, renovations or demolitions and suspect they may have asbestos materials in their homes should in the first instance contact a licensed asbestos removalist,” he said.
“Engaging a licensed asbestos removalist ensures the work site is managed safely and without risk to yourself or your neighbours.”
Mr Bosman said Environment Protection Authority (EPA) was the regulatory body for illegally-dumped rubbish like asbestos and had established a strike force to respond to large-scale illegal dumps.
“The council is keen to work with the EPA and the community to assist them in gathering intelligence about illegal dumps,” he said.
He said that anyone who found asbestos dumped in areas not licensed to receive or store asbestos needed to report the issue to the EPA pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.
