Asbestos Disposal Point Grants

The Asbestos Disposal Points (ADP) Grants program will fund local government or industry to establish Asbestos Disposal Points that will increase access to waste facilities that support the safe disposal of non-friable (also known as bonded) asbestos waste.

Based at existing waste facilities in eligible areas (see Table 1) identified by Sustainability Victoria (SV) the disposal points will accept small quantities (under 10 square metres) of packaged, non-friable asbestos waste from domestic customers and commercial customers for a fee. Once delivered, the asbestos will be temporarily stored in a secure area equipped with a fit-for-purpose bin. When the bin reaches storage limits, the waste will be transported to an EPA Victoria licensed landfill for final disposal.

Grant recipients will be required to implement the Guide to Developing and Managing Asbestos Disposal Points for the Temporary Storage of Non-Friable Asbestos Waste (the Guide). Please note, SV reserves the right to revise and update the Guide from time to time to ensure its currency with relevant laws, regulations and best practice.

The Guide, developed by technical specialists, will assist site operators to meet regulations and provide the systems and processes to support workers and customers to dispose of asbestos safely.

Grant recipients will be further supported to establish Asbestos Disposal Points by SV, who will:

• Provide support throughout the site establishment process including navigating regulatory approval requirements and conducting community engagement. 

• Provide a Communications Support Package to support sites with promotion and education materials.

• Deliver one round of staff training focused on asbestos disposal point tasks and procedures.

• Conduct a compliance audit prior to commencing operations to ensure sites are ready to receive asbestos from customers.

The Guide, and other resources, can be found in the Resources section of the Grants Guidelines.

This ADP Grants program and supporting resources have been informed by a pilot program. SV funded three pilot sites to test the infrastructure, systems, guidance and communication resources needed to manage an asbestos disposal point.

This ADP Grants program is a competitive merit-based application process which will close on 03 October 2024.

Approved projects must be completed by 30 April 2025.

The following are the guidelines for applying for this fund.

1. Fund overview

1.1 Fund objectives

The key objectives of the ADP Grants are to:

• Increase access to Asbestos Disposal Points for small quantities of packaged non-friable asbestos

• Facilitate the establishment of sites that meet regulations and provide infrastructure, systems, processes and education materials to support workers and customers to manage asbestos safely.

1.2 Funding available

Competitive grants of up to $80,000 (ex GST) per site will be available to eligible Applicants.

A total funding pool of $400,000 (ex GST) is available. 

1.3 Co-contribution

A co-contribution is not required as Applicants will provide in-kind support through the establishment of the site. 

2. Eligibility

2.1 Who can apply

Eligible applicants must be one of the following organisation types:

• Local government who own and operate publicly accessible waste transfer stations, resource recovery centres or landfills.
• Local government who owns publicly accessible transfer stations, resource recovery centres or landfills and contract a third-party operator to manage the facility.

• Waste industry who may act as a third-party operator at a suitable local government owned publicly accessible transfer stations, resource recovery centres or landfills.

• Waste industry who owns and operates suitable publicly accessible waste transfer stations, resource recovery centres or landfills.

• Waste industry who leases a site from local government and operate publicly accessible waste transfer stations, resource recovery centres or landfills.

Note: If the applicant is a Trust, the Funding Agreement must be executed by the Trustee of the Trust for example XYZ Pty Ltd as The Trustee for the XYZ Trust. The Trust as the trading entity must meet all the eligibility requirements of the fund (eg ABN).

Eligible applicants must have a project located in an area where there is currently no access to an asbestos disposal option within specified drive times (see Table 1). If you are unsure if your project location is eligible, please contact SV’s Asbestos Disposal Point Advisory Service.

Table 1: Areas eligible for funding for the ADP Grants.

* Peri urban areas are local government areas with a predominantly rural character, located all or partially within a 100-kilometre radius of Melbourne and overlap with parts of Geelong’s peri-urban area (Plan Melbourne 2017-2050).

Applicants must:

• implement the Guide as relevant to their waste facility.

• undergo a compliance audit prior to Asbestos Disposal Point commissioning. This will be done by a third-party auditor funded separately by SV.

• have a current Australian Business Number (ABN). If the applicant is a Trust, the Trust as the trading entity must meet this requirement.

• have been operating for a minimum of 2 years by the application closing date (to be validated by the date that the organisation’s ABN is active from).

• agree to comply with the Terms of Participation in Grant Programs

• agree to comply with the funding terms and conditions:

• for grants $50,000 or less read the Short-form grant funding agreement.

• for grants more than $50,000 read the General grant funding agreement.

Applicants who do not agree with the Grant Funding Agreement Terms and Conditions will be asked to provide full details of proposed amendments that would render the contractual provision acceptable to the Applicant in the SmartyGrants application form.  Applicants should note that significant or substantive variations will not be viewed favourably unless the Applicant is able to demonstrate the necessity for such variations. Should applicants be successful, no further amendments to SV’s standard terms and conditions will be considered beyond the variations included in the application form. 

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

2.2 Who cannot apply

Funding is not available to:

• Local government or industry operating facilities that are not located in areas identified for intervention.

• Unincorporated entities

2.3 What will be funded

The following projects are eligible for funding:

• Projects that establish an asbestos disposal point at an existing waste facility as per the Guide to Developing and Managing Asbestos Disposal Points for the Temporary Storage of Non-Friable Asbestos Waste (the Guide).  

Project must:

• be located within an eligible area identified by SV (See Table 1)

• be completed by 30 April 2025.

The following costs are eligible for funding:

All project costs must be directly related to the establishment of the Asbestos Disposal Point as detailed in the Guide and can include:

• Capital purchases e.g. infrastructure or equipment such as skip bin, awning or shed, surface material, fencing, CCTV (with two-way communication abilities), PPE and RPE, signage, incident management materials such as Class H HEPA Vacuum, packaging materials

• Pre-construction (site preparation) such as site clearing, earthworks or site accessibility works

• Permit, licensing and approval costs

• Staff costs (such as salaries) for existing staff contributing to the project only e.g. project management

• Consultancy costs or contract work. This can cover a range of activities to support implementation of the Guide including, but not limited to:
  • planning permit application support
  • updating of site management plans and development of standard operating procedures,
  • development of online customer booking systems
  • asbestos awareness training
  • fit testing of RPE
  • assessing insurance requirements and updating existing policy or securing new policy.

• community engagement, marketing, advertising, promotional costs

Other types of costs may be considered to be funded at the discretion of SV, if demonstrated in the grant application to be directly associated with the project and not specifically excluded below.

2.4 What will not be funded

• Projects that focus on receiving, storing, managing, and disposing of volumes of asbestos outside what has been permitted by EPA for the specific site 

• Projects that are being undertaken in order to comply with regulation or a regulatory notice or order   

• Projects that have received funding or support for the same activities from other sources  

• Projects that do not meet regulatory or planning requirements  

• SV will not fund projects that have commenced before the applicant is notified by SV in writing that their grant application has been successful. Note: if applicants fail to execute a Funding Agreement, their eligible costs will not be reimbursed.   

The following costs are ineligible for funding:

• Lease or purchase of land

• Routine or cyclical maintenance works

• Repair of facilities damaged by vandalism, fire or other natural disasters where damage should be covered by insurance

• Operating costs such as electricity, water and other utilities

• Purchase of vehicles (e.g. front-end loaders, forklifts)

• Business case development, feasibility studies, consultancy or contract work

• Research, development and demonstration

• Staff travel, conferences and other educational activities

• Contingency costs

3. Assessment process

3.1 Assessment criteria

The assessment panel will assess the application based on merit according to the criteria below.

Note that SV may have a third-party technical expert evaluate potential sites as part of the grant assessment process.

What

Weighting: 40%

Applicants must demonstrate how the project meets SV’s project objectives and describe what you are going to do, including:

• the siting of the asbestos disposal point within your waste facility

• infrastructure and supporting systems required to establish and operate the asbestos disposal point as it relates to implementing the Guide

• site management plans and standard operating procedures that must be updated or developed

• collection and transport of consolidated asbestos waste to landfill

• site ownership and operation details including letters of support from the site owners or third-party operator (if relevant)

• how you will establish a lawful site that meets EPA Victoria permission and planning permit requirements (as relevant to your facility) to enable to temporary storage of non-friable, packaged asbestos prior to disposal at landfill?

• what you will do to provide reasonable accessibility at your waste facility for domestic and commercial customers from within / outside your LGA (i.e. the asbestos disposal point will be open to customers for multiple days and hours per week)

• confirmation that you will engage as needed with community located near your waste facility as part of the establishment process for the Asbestos Disposal Point to support the facilities’ social license to operate

• confirmation that the waste facility has appropriate insurance coverage for asbestos related activity or confirm that you will be obtain the required insurance as part of the initial project work.

• how you will promote the Asbestos Disposal Point once it is operational.

Who

Weighting: 30%

Applicants (and its Project Participants where applicable) must demonstrate ability to deliver the project, including:

• demonstrate that the project team (including any third-party site operators, contractors or consultants) can deliver the project in terms of capability (skills) and experience, including:

• their roles and responsibilities

• their relevant skills, knowledge and experience delivering similar projects

• details and evidence of agreement between council and third-party contractor (if applicable) e.g letter of support.

How

Weighting: 30%

 Applicants must demonstrate how the project will be successfully delivered, including:

• listing the key milestones and how these will be delivered on time, and within scope

• potential risks of the project and how they will be managed (include a risk management plan if available)

• how you will monitor the project, collect data and support project evaluation (include an evaluation plan if available)

• itemised project budget including evidence where relevant (eg quotes).

3.2 Diversity consideration

• SV reserves the right to adjust recommendations to achieve an overall mix of geographical locations including a preference for large population catchment areas within associated drivetimes.

3.3 Due diligence checks

A risk-based approach will be used to assess the Applicant’s social, safety and environmental risks in relation to the project. This assessment will include the Applicant’s Related Entities and may include Project Participants (see Section 9: Program definitions).

Applicants (and their Related Entities and Project Participants if applicable) must:

• have had no Environmental, Safety or Workplace Breaches in the last five years or, if there was a breach, SV may assess that the Applicant’s breach poses a satisfactory level of risk;

• have not been the subject of an enforceable undertaking or successful litigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman for a breach of the Fair Work Act 2009 or a fair work instrument within the last five years;

• have adequate insurance as outlined in the funding agreement such as:
  • Public liability $20M minimum (and most not exclude coverage of asbestos related activity)
  • Professional indemnity $5M minimum (if required)
  • WorkCover

• have not failed to satisfactorily progress or complete previous projects funded by SV within funding program timelines and without sufficient reason; and

• manage any conflicts of interest adequately.

Assessment of satisfactory level of risk will include but not be limited to SV’s consideration of:

• the seriousness of any finding/s;

• whether the finding/s has been resolved to the satisfaction of the relevant enforcement agency, or the Applicant can demonstrate it is working effectively to resolve the finding;

• the efforts made by the Applicant including implementation of management systems, to ensure no further finding/s occur; and

• whether, since the finding, the Applicant has had a satisfactory level of compliance with relevant Environmental and Safety Laws and Workplace Laws.

SV may conduct due diligence checks on Applicants, Related Entities and Project Participants (if relevant). The Applicant must ensure that any Related Entities and/or Project Participants agree to cooperate with this requirement and will provide information at SV’s request.

SV reserves the right not to award funding to Applicants where the due diligence risk (including that of Related Entities or Project Participants) is unsatisfactory or not able to be managed.

4. Funding conditions

Successful applicants approved for funding must do the following. 

4.1 Before starting the project 

• Participate in an inception meeting to discuss their project and the funding agreement.

• Agree to realistic evidence-based and performance-based milestone payments.

• Provide SV with insurance certificates of currency.

• Sign SV’s funding agreement within 30 days of receipt via DocuSign

• Provide a project plan.

4.2 During and after the project 

• Deliver the project as outlined in the application and comply with the funding agreement. 

• Contribute to regular project progress updates or meetings.

• Notify SV immediately about any delay or change to the project. 

• Provide update reports to SV at agreed milestones with evidence of expenditure, progress and performance 

• Provide adequate monitoring and evaluation of the project according to the funding agreement.  

• Collect and release data to SV. SV may share or report on the data. 

• Contribute to the project’s promotional activities (for example, provide SV with support by reviewing and approving written stories or videos). 

• Participate in and contribute to SV activities to distribute the findings to broader stakeholders (for example, government and industry). 

• Acknowledge that SV has contributed funding in all communications related to the project. 

5. Timeline

Applications Open: SV acknowledges that this date falls within the 2024 local government election period. SV advises that applications may be withdrawn during the election period or following the election of a new Council if the project is no longer deemed to be an organisational priority.

Information sessions:

Register for session one – Thursday 22 August - 10:00 am to 11:00 am
 
Register for session two – Wednesday 28 August – 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Notification of outcome: SV will provide Applicants with updates about the progress of their applications as much as possible and note that the notification date is subject to change with the level of approval required.

Projects commenced by: Project will be commissioned and operational within up to five months of signing SV’s funding agreement

6. How to apply

Before applying, we recommend you attend an information session – Session 1, Session 2.

The grant program involves a competitive, merit-based application process.

1. Ensure that your organisation can apply.
2. Ensure that your project is qualified.
3. Read SV’s funding agreement. You must meet the terms and conditions to ensure funding.
   1. For grants $50,000 or less read the Short-form grant funding agreement.
   2. For grants more than $50,000 read the General grant funding agreement.
4. Read SV’s Terms of participation in grant programs.
5. Create an account and start your application on the SmartyGrants website.
6. Submit your application by 11:59 pm, 03 October 2024. Late applications will not be accepted except under exceptional circumstances.

Your application

• Allow adequate time to plan, research, gather supporting documentation and draft your application.

• As this is a competitive grant, we cannot review drafts or provide feedback on your application. However, we recommend Applicants engage with SV’s Asbestos Disposal Point Advisory Service before submitting an application. See section 7.3 for further information.

• You must use SmartyGrants, unless you have written permission from SV.

7. Assistance available

7.1 Information sessions

There will be two online information session. Presentation slides will be available after the session.

Register for session one -  Thursday 22 August - 10.00am to 11.00am

Register for session two – Wednesday 28 August – 3.00pm to 4.00pm

Read the information bulletin

Answers to questions we receive at our information sessions and via phone and email are published on our Information bulletin.

We only publish answers to questions that are not already covered in these grant guidelines.

7.2 Contact us

The Grants team cannot review drafts or provide feedback.

Email: grants.enquiries@sustainability.vic.gov.au

In the subject line, use the grant name Asbestos Disposal Point Grants. Note: Please see section 7.3 below if you require assistance with your application

7.3 Asbestos Disposal Point Advisory Service

We recommend Applicants engage with SV’s Asbestos Disposal Point Advisory Service before submitting an application. The Advisory service will include one on one access to support from SV's Asbestos Disposal Point program prior to submitting a funding application.

The Advisory service will include:

• one on one access to technical expert support from Sustainability Victoria’s support from SV’s Asbestos Disposal Point program lead expert prior to submitting a funding application.

The advisory services support is separate and removed from the panel assessment process.

Use of this service does not guarantee any level of success with any application.

If you would like to access this service, please contact grants.enquiries@sustainability.vic.gov.au with the subject line – ADP Grants Advisory Service – and they will forward on your request

8. Why the Victorian Government is providing this funding

Under Recycling Victoria: a new economy, the Victorian Government's 10-year policy and action plan for waste and recycling in Victoria, funding has been committed to develop and implement an Asbestos Disposal Management Plan (ADMP) to ensure adequate disposal options for asbestos across the state (RV Key Commitment 10.2).

SV is leading this work with support from key agencies and departments, including EPA Victoria, WorkSafe Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).   

Asbestos was commonly used in Australia for construction before it was banned in 2003. Asbestos is still present in many homes, commercial buildings and farms which is why it’s important to have waste facilities to dispose of it safely.

Currently, householders, tradespeople and licensed asbestos removalists in many parts of Victoria who want to dispose of asbestos are driving to landfills over an hour away.

When not managed properly, asbestos waste negatively impacts the environment, the community and the economy. Asbestos that is dumped in public spaces, or in kerbside bins, may be harmful and is a cost to the local community and businesses.  

The ADP Grants will support implementation of the ADMP by expanding the current asbestos disposal system to give Victorians greater access to safe and legal disposal options for small quantities of packaged, non-friable asbestos.   

9. Definitions

Applicant

The applicant who applies for the funding and is responsible for all details in the submission of an application and the contractual obligations under the funding agreement with SV if successful for grant funding. Applicants must be legally constituted organisations and with a current ABN that has been active for a minimum of 2 years by the application closing date.

The funding that SV will grant to successful applicants is public money which SV must ensure is expended prudently, accountably and to achieve maximum impact. By requiring businesses to have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years, governments can reduce the risk of investing in businesses that may not have fully established their business model or market demand.

Asbestos Disposal Point (ADP)

Based at existing transfer stations, resource recovery centres or landfills with appropriate EPA Victoria permissions to temporarily store non-friable asbestos. Sites will accept small quantities (under 10 square meters) of packaged asbestos waste from domestic and commercial customers. Once delivered, the asbestos will be stored in a secure area equipped with a fit-for-purpose bin. When the bin reaches storage limits, the waste will be transported to an EPA Victoria licensed landfill for final disposal (end fate).

Business

A commercial enterprise seeking to generate profit through its activities, including Social Enterprises.

Co-contribution

The Applicant’s required cash or in-kind contribution to the total project income. Co-contributions must be for eligible activities. Note that no co-contribution is required for this fund.

Commercial customers

Trades, contractors, waste transport or asbestos removal transporting and disposing of asbestos waste.

Communication Support Package (CSP)

Provides a range of professionally developed communication resources and templates to:  

• promote the new Asbestos Disposal Point (ADP) service (specifically for launch and then for on-going operations)  

• inform the community (and internal staff) how to correctly and safely use ADP  

• communicate in a way that garners social license and on-going acceptance of the ADP 
• SV reserves he right to revise and update the resources and templates from time to time to ensure their currency with relevant laws, regulations and best practice.

Domestic Customers

Householders or DIYers transporting and disposing of asbestos waste.

Environmental, Safety or Workplace Breach

An environmental or safety breach is any past or current prosecution, reportable incident, investigation, notice, penalty, warning, regulatory intervention or enforcement action from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Victorian WorkCover Authority (WorkSafe) or Fair Work or failure to comply with any environmental, safety and workplace laws.

Environmental and Safety Laws

Environmental and safety laws are the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, Environment Protection Act 2017 or any other legislation, regulation, order, statute, by-law, ordinance or any other legislative or regulatory measure, code, standard or requirement relating to the protection and safety of persons or property or which regulate the environment including laws relating to land use planning, pollution of air or water, soil or groundwater contamination, chemicals, waste, the use, handling, storage or transport of dangerous goods or substances, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon trading, or any other aspect of protection of the environment.

Guide to Developing and Managing Asbestos Disposal Points for the Temporary Storage of Non-Friable Asbestos Waste

The Guide is a resource to assist owner/operators of waste management facilities to develop and operate an Asbestos Disposal Point (ADP). It outlines fit-for purpose infrastructure, supporting systems and site-specific procedures to receive, manage and dispose of packaged asbestos waste in general accordance with the relevant safety and environmental legislation.

• SV reserves the right to revise and update the Guide from time to time to ensure its currency with relevant laws, regulations and best practice.

Not-for-profit

A not-for-profit (NFP) organisation is an entity that does not operate for the profit or gain (either direct or indirect) of particular people. Unincorporated entities are ineligible to apply.

Peri Urban Areas

Peri urban areas are local government areas with a predominantly rural character, located all or partially within a 100-kilometre radius of Melbourne and overlap with parts of Geelong’s peri-urban area (Plan Melbourne 2017-2050).

Private Operator

Businesses that own land or lease council land to operate resource recovery centres, transfer stations or landfill; Or Businesses that are contracted by local governments to manage a resource recovery centres, transfer station or landfill on council owned land.

Project Participant/s

An organisation engaged by the Applicant to assist in the delivery of the Applicant’s project, including but not limited to major subcontractors, contractors, product suppliers and consultants.

Related Entities

Entities which are related to the Applicant, including:

• Holding companies of the Applicant

• Subsidiaries of the Applicant

• Subsidiaries of holding companies of the Applicant

• Companies with common directors or shareholders as the Applicant

• Companies that are a beneficiary under a trust of which the Applicant is a trustee

• Trustees of a trust under which the Applicant is a beneficiary

• Companies that conduct business at the same address as the Applicant, or the same address as the location of the activity for which the funding is sought

Related Person/s

Related Person means a director, officer, employee, agent, board member or contractor of the Applicant or a Related Entity.

Workplace Laws

Workplace laws are the Fair Work Act 2009, or any other legislation, regulation order, statute, by-law, ordinance or any other legislative or regulatory measure, code, standard or requirement relating to the provision of fair, relevant and enforceable minimum terms and conditions for all persons and to prevent discrimination against employees.

10. Resources

Guide to Developing and Managing Asbestos Disposal Points for the Temporary Storage of Non-Friable Asbestos Waste

• The version available for download was developed for the Asbestos Disposal Point Pilot Program and has been made available for potential applicants to review.
• SV reserves the right to revise and update the Guide from time to time to ensure its currency with relevant laws, regulations and best practice.

The Guide can be found here.

Asbestos Disposal Point Communication Package

The Communication Support Package will include the following templates for grant recipients to adapt as relevant to their Asbestos Disposal Point (ADP).

Toolkit A: Community engagement prior to ADP launching

• Letter to local residents/ businesses with supporting ADP Information Sheet
• ADP Posters and power point presentation for engagement sessions
• Web copy & FAQs.

 Tool kit B: Launch and ongoing operation of ADP

• Media release
• Newspaper adverts and social media posts
• A5 Flyer: ‘How to use asbestos disposal point'
• Web copy & FAQs

Some sample templates are available for download here.

Note that:

• The templates were developed for the Asbestos Disposal Point Pilot Program and have been made available for potential applicants to review.

• SV reserves the right to revise and update the templates from time to time to ensure their currency with relevant laws, regulations and best practice.