The New South Wales Government has unveiled a new plan aimed at significantly reducing the incidences of asbestos-related diseases across the state.

Minister for Services, Greg Pearce, said that the plan will increase awareness of the dangers associated with asbestos and ensure its safe management to improve long term health and safety outcomes.

“Australia has one of the highest mesothelioma rates in the world with the NSW Dust Diseases Board reporting 201 asbestos related deaths across the state in 2011,”  Mr Pearce said. “The level of asbestos related illness in NSW is unacceptably high and this plan is a call to government, industry and the wider community to responsibly manage asbestos,” he said.

Mr Pearce said the plan includes four priority areas - research, risk communication, prevention and coordination - to ensure current practices for managing asbestos do not contribute to exposure. “Tackling asbestos disease rates will be challenging but this plan will help ensure current practices for working with and managing asbestos reduce the risk of asbestos related disease,” he said.

The Asbestos Plan was developed by the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities (HACA) in consultation with government agencies, local councils, industry and worker representatives and disease research groups.

HACA was established in response to the NSW Ombudsman recommendations for significant asbestos reform in NSW.

“This plan is another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to reducing asbestos related diseases and we will continue to work with federal bodies to properly manage asbestos,” Mr Pearce said.