What Rural Property Owners Should Know

Across regional Victoria—particularly in farming regions around Bendigo, Ballarat, and Riddells Creek—older agricultural buildings often carry a hidden legacy: asbestos. Once praised for its strength, insulation and fire resistance, asbestos was used extensively in rural construction throughout the mid-20th century. Unfortunately, these same materials now pose serious health and environmental risks.

Whether you own a working farm, hobby block, or inherited family property, understanding where asbestos may be hiding and how to manage it is essential. In this article, we break down the risks, regulations, and safe next steps for rural property owners.

Why Was Asbestos So Common on Farms?

In rural Australia, durability matters. Asbestos cement sheeting—also known as “fibro”—offered a cheap, strong and weather-resistant solution. Because it was easily transported and didn’t burn, it was ideal for sheds, outbuildings, and animal shelters.

From the 1940s through to the late 1980s, asbestos was routinely used in:

• Hay and machinery sheds
• Shearing sheds and dairy buildings
• Water tanks and roof catchment systems
• Boundary fences and windbreak panels
• Outbuildings and workers’ quarters
• Roof sheeting and eaves on farmhouses
• Pipe insulation in older irrigation or hot water systems

Even buildings renovated in the early 1990s might still contain leftover stock. Many of these structures are still in use today—or left to deteriorate in paddocks, unknowingly releasing fibres into the environment.

What Are the Risks of Asbestos on Farms?

The danger with asbestos isn’t in its presence—but in its disturbance. When asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) become weathered, broken, or damaged during work, they can release microscopic fibres into the air. These fibres are invisible to the naked eye, and once inhaled, they can lodge in the lungs and remain there for decades.

Long-term exposure can lead to:

• Mesothelioma – a deadly cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos
• Asbestosis – scarring of the lungs from prolonged fibre exposure
• Lung cancer – with heightened risk for those who smoke or have long exposure history

On farms, the risk increases during:

• Demolition of old buildings or fencing
• High-wind events that damage ageing structures
• Tractor or machinery work near crumbling sheds or fibro piles
• Repairs or renovations on old farmhouses or workspaces

Even kids playing in a disused shed or dogs running through broken fences can unknowingly stir up dangerous fibres.

Legal Responsibilities for Rural Property Owners

As a private rural landholder, you’re not subject to the same daily regulations as businesses or commercial landlords—but you’re still responsible for ensuring your property is safe.

Victorian law requires:

• That asbestos waste is never illegally dumped or burned
• That any removal work over 10m² of bonded asbestos be conducted by a licensed asbestos removalist
• That friable (crumbly) asbestos is only handled by Class A licensed professionals
• That any asbestos waste is disposed of at an EPA-approved facility

If your property is ever used for public access, agritourism, or employs contractors or farm workers, then your obligations increase. You may be required to develop an asbestos management plan, particularly if accommodation, commercial food production, or paid work is involved.

How to Identify and Manage Suspected Asbestos

The first step is to be aware of where asbestos is likely to be. Any building, fence, or pipework installed before 1990 should be treated with caution.

If you’re unsure:

• Don’t cut, break or disturb the material
• Avoid using high-pressure hoses on old sheds or roofs—this can send fibres airborne
• Keep children and livestock away from degraded structures or loose sheeting
• Call a licensed asbestos assessor to inspect and, if needed, test the material

The team at Myers Asbestos Removal can provide an on-site assessment across Central Victoria, and help you determine whether the material is asbestos—and if so, what your safest next steps are.

Safe Removal and Disposal: Leave It to the Pros

As tempting as it might be to tackle that old fence line or demolish a crumbling shed on your own, asbestos isn’t a DIY job. Even for seasoned farmers used to hands-on work, the health risks are too great—and the penalties for unsafe removal or illegal dumping can be significant.

When you engage Myers Asbestos Removal, we’ll:

• Conduct a safe, licensed removal of any bonded or friable asbestos
• Use EPA-compliant transport and disposal methods
• Provide clearance documentation for your records
• Offer advice on ongoing asbestos management for your property
• Work flexibly around your farm’s operations and access needs

Our team is based in regional Victoria, so we understand the unique challenges rural properties face. We know you need fast, reliable service that respects your land, your time, and your safety.

Keeping Country Communities Safe

Asbestos isn’t just a city or suburban problem. Across Victoria’s rural landscapes, thousands of old sheds, tanks, and buildings still quietly pose a health risk to owners, workers, and visitors.

By knowing what to look for—and calling in licensed professionals when needed—you can make your property safer for everyone who lives, works, or plays there.

If you suspect asbestos on your farm or rural property, don’t wait.
Contact Myers Asbestos Removal today to arrange a site inspection, get expert advice, and take the first step toward a safer environment for generations to come.