Asbestos Removal Coffs Harbour
Licensed Asbestos Removal in Coffs Harbour
Walsh Demolition is your local licensed asbestos removal expert with extensive experience in the safe removal of asbestos from commercial and residential properties in Coffs Harbour and across Northern NSW, including Grafton, Glen Innes, Armidale, Yamba, Lismore, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Byron Bay, Tamworth, Inverell, Tenterfield, Kyogle and Woolgoolga.
Our Coffs Harbour asbestos removal services include everything from planning and preparation through to safe removal and disposal. Due to the hazardous nature of asbestos, it is crucial that it is handled by professionals to ensure asbestos is removed safely without contaminating the local environment. Our licensed and insured team have a wealth of experience and will take great care to ensure all regulations are adhered to.
The process starts by notifying neighbours that we are removing asbestos and outlining the required safety precautions. During removal, all panels are dampened to reduce the risk of dust particles being released. Once safely removed, the panels are double wrapped in plastic and marked ASBESTOS. They are then taken to a certified disposal site for safe destruction.
Contact Walsh Demolition today to arrange a quote.
Asbestos can be classified as friable and non-friable. Friable asbestos contains minerals which when dry cause it to crumble. Asbestos in this state releases microscopic particles into the atmosphere which make their way into the respiratory tract. Non-friable asbestos is bonded to another material such as resin or cement. This makes it much more resilient to weathering than friable asbestos but extra care still needs to be taken when removing it.
Non-friable asbestos is the type most commonly found in buildings. This material has excellent thermal efficiency, which made it ideal for insulation. But it was also used to protect brick cladding, as a backing for switchboards, carpet tiles and underlay, fencing, roofing, expansion joints and concrete formwork.
The team at
Walsh Demolition can safely remove all types of friable and non-friable asbestos.
Get in touch to arrange a FREE site assessment and consultation today.
At Walsh Demolition, we understand that when asbestos is involved, your priority is keeping your family, staff, or tenants safe. That’s why we take a strict, safety-first approach to asbestos removal in Coffs Harbour. Every job begins with a detailed site inspection to identify the materials and the level of risk. From there, our team develops a removal plan tailored to your property, ensuring every step is handled in a way that minimises disruption and keeps everyone protected.
Compliance is non-negotiable in this industry. Our licensed asbestos removalists follow the NSW Code of Practice, use specialised protective gear, and ensure all waste is disposed of at approved facilities. We notify SafeWork NSW when required, supply the correct paperwork, and arrange independent clearance inspections at the end of every job. When you work with us, you can be confident your property is safe, compliant, and ready to be reoccupied without risk.
Asbestos was once used in thousands of building products across Australia, and many homes and commercial buildings in Coffs Harbour still contain it. While it might look like another building material, asbestos becomes dangerous once disturbed. When fibres are released into the air and inhaled, they can settle deep in the lungs and cause long-term damage.
There are two types of asbestos to be aware of. Non-friable asbestos is bonded into solid materials like fibro sheeting. It’s relatively stable, but if cut, drilled, or broken, it can release fibres. Friable asbestos is far more dangerous, as it crumbles easily and releases fibres even with minor disturbance. Friable asbestos was commonly used in insulation and spray-on coatings — exactly the hidden materials our team is trained to locate and remove safely.
The real challenge with asbestos is the long delay between exposure and illness. Diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis can take decades to appear. That means a small mistake today could have devastating consequences years later. As a business trusted for safe demolition and asbestos removal, we take these risks seriously so our clients never have to.
When asbestos is present, you can’t afford to take risks. Attempting removal yourself or hiring someone without the proper licence could expose you, your family, or your staff to harmful fibres and leave you legally liable. By working with Walsh Demolition, you’re choosing a licensed team that knows how to manage asbestos from start to finish. We’ve built our reputation in Coffs Harbour by handling these jobs professionally, precisely, and carefully.
Here’s what sets our licensed asbestos removal services apart:
- Strict compliance with NSW regulations – We follow every requirement under SafeWork NSW and the Code of Practice, so you stay compliant and protected.
- Correct licensing for every job – Our Class A and Class B licences mean we’re qualified for friable and non-friable asbestos removal, regardless of the scale or complexity.
- Experienced & insured specialists—Our team has years of hands-on experience and full insurance coverage for your peace of mind.
- Thorough planning & risk control—We don’t just remove asbestos; we prepare a tailored removal plan to keep your site safe at every stage.
- Independent clearance certificates—Once removal is complete, a third-party assessor provides a certificate confirming that your property is safe to occupy again.
- Clear communication & support – We keep you informed from start to finish, so there are no surprises along the way.
Choosing licensed asbestos removal in Coffs Harbour isn’t just about meeting legal requirements — it’s about protecting the health of everyone who enters your property and ensuring the job is done right the first time. With Walsh Demolition, you can confidently move forward, knowing the risks have been taken off your shoulders.
In many properties around Coffs Harbour—especially those built or renovated before the late 1980s—you’ll find asbestos in walls, ceilings, roofing, fences, and gutters. It could be in fibro sheets, insulation, cement-bound board, or even older pipe lagging. Sometimes it’s easy to spot, but often not. Over time, asbestos materials degrade, making the fibres more likely to be released.
If you suspect a material contains asbestos, don’t assume by appearance. The only reliable way is to have it tested. Licensed asbestos assessors can take samples safely—without disturbing fibres—and send them to accredited labs. If you can’t get it tested immediately, treat the material cautiously. Avoid cutting, drilling or disturbing it; keep it covered or sealed if possible, and limit access.
When inhaled, asbestos fibres can lodge deep in the lungs and remain there permanently. Over time, this exposure can lead to life-threatening illnesses. The danger is especially high when asbestos is removed or disturbed without the right controls. Poor handling puts the person doing the work at risk and can expose family members, employees, or neighbours.
- Asbestosis – scar tissue builds up in the lungs, causing breathing difficulty, coughing and reduced lung function.
- Mesothelioma – a rare but aggressive cancer of the lining around the lungs (and sometimes the abdomen), almost always linked to asbestos exposure.
- Lung cancer risk increases with asbestos exposure; the risk is even higher in those who smoke.
- Other respiratory illnesses include persistent coughing, chest tightness, and pleural disease (thickening of the lung lining).
- Long latency – symptoms may not appear until 20-30 years after exposure.
If you’re renovating or repairing older buildings, take steps early to avoid exposure. First, identify potential asbestos-containing materials before you start: check building age, original materials, property history, or do testing. Then pla,n so tforestos materials are to beely removed by a licensed professional or adequately sealed/covered if removal isn’t immediately possible.
During work:
- Use correct PPE (respirators, disposable coveralls, gloves)
- Keep asbestos materials wet to suppress dust
- Avoid power tools that cut, grind or sand into asbestos without special controls
- Isolate and seal off the work area to prevent cross-contamination.
Afterwards, clean thoroughly using wet wipes or special vacuums (HEPA), dispose of all waste at approved sites, and obtain a clearance certificate if required.
