Bulli Asbestos Removal

The suburb of Bulli, known for its rich history and picturesque landscapes, has a less glamorous past when it comes to asbestos use. Asbestos, a once popular building material due to its heat-resistant properties, was commonly used in the construction of many of Bulli’s key buildings, public facilities, and infrastructure during the mid-20th century. Notable structures such as the Bulli Railway Station and the Bulli Family Hotel, both built in the late 1800s, underwent renovations during the peak of asbestos use and are suspected of containing the hazardous material. The same is true for many of the older homes in Bulli, which are typically styled in the Federation Bungalow and Victorian architectural styles, featuring weatherboard cladding and corrugated iron roofs, materials often laced with asbestos during that period.

Today, Bulli faces significant challenges in managing the health implications of its asbestos-laden past. Asbestos, when disturbed, can release microscopic fibres into the air, which, when inhaled, can lead to serious health issues such as mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. Prominent locations such as Bulli Public School and the Bulli Workers Club, frequented by many residents, have had to undergo extensive asbestos removal and remediation works. Local authorities have taken proactive measures to ensure public safety, including regular inspections, immediate containment and removal of identified asbestos, and public education on the dangers of asbestos. Despite these efforts, there have been reported incidents of asbestos-related health issues in Bulli. In 2017, for example, several residents living near the Bulli Showground were diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, leading to an extensive investigation and subsequent removal of asbestos from the site.