A great environmental threat looms over the Indigenous community of Namoi in New South Wales. Initially, a massive dirt pile containing a mix of asbestos-contaminated material teetered just feet away from their homes. This mound is packed with tens of thousands of cubic meters of hazardous material. It links in with the NSW government’s Roads to Home program, which prioritises funding for infrastructure to Aboriginal-owned land. That situation has led to a contentious battle over who must bear the burden of cleaning up. That raises urgent questions about the health and safety of local residents.
At the community level, the Roads to Home program supports local Aboriginal Land Councils to choose where to invest in infrastructure for their communities’ greatest needs. In 2019, Namoi and nearby Gingie were named as two of ten discrete Aboriginal communities chosen for an initial cleanup pilot program. This creative initiative was meant to solve the asbestos problem long term over a four-to-five-year period. The cleanup has come to a halt largely due to the prohibitive cost of disposing of the asbestos-laden material.
Stalled Cleanup Efforts
As of 2023-2024, those in charge are moving ahead with plans for disposing of such hazardous material. This toxic waste has marred the Annette Islands Indigenous community for generations. The general manager of the local council, Andrew Brown, expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “It’s time that the asbestos-contaminated material is collected and taken where it should be — to the landfill site.” For his part, Fernandez said the council has hit a boiling point with the extended hold.
After the release of the cleanup plan, things really started to soar in 2019, garnering national spotlight and support. Problems arose when Crown Lands then pursued the council to cut landfill charges for transferring the asbestos to the Walgett site. Mr. Brown elaborated on the situation, saying, “There was then an argument I believe about GST payable and then the entire thing stalled and it’s been sitting there ever since.” This small disagreement has played a huge role in the stalemate.
Responsibility Dispute
And who is going to be responsible for removing the contaminated material? Local authorities have repeatedly asked the NSW government—the other player in this tangled jurisdictional dispute—to clarify, and it too is a player in this bizarre spat. Community members live on the brink, concerned for their health and safety. This chronic unpredictability is a byproduct of life adjacent to toxic colonial legacy.
A spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) told Streetsblog that it’s a sign the department has heard concerns. They are working hand in hand with the Walgett Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Walgett Shire Council to address this urgent crisis. This collaborative effort aims to accelerate cleanup of this dangerous material. For residents, the anxiety continues as they wait for solid actions to happen on the ground.
Community Impact
The presence of asbestos near homes poses significant health risks to local residents, making it imperative for authorities to act swiftly. The people of Namoi community deserve a clear end to this long-running fight and a re-commitment from authorities to keep them safe.
