A full council meeting of the State's peak union body will tonight consider applying an interim Green Ban to work on a former James Hardie site riddled with asbestos at Camelia, in Sydney's west.

 

The site was shut down over a decade ago when James Hardie realised the level of asbestos threat at the site and laid a concrete slab over it.

 

The waste management firm, Remondis now wants to build a waste treatment plant on the site despite deep concerns from local residents and the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA).

 

Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Lennon, said a motion for a green ban would be debated on the request of ADFA President, Barry Robson.

 

"There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, and on the face of it, this proposal represents a risk to the health and safety of Camellia residents," Mr Lennon said.

 

"We expect to get overwhelming support at tonight's meeting of Unions NSW for an interim green ban to be enacted until those concerns can be addressed."

 

There are concerns that the concrete cap containing the asbestos could be cracked over time, due to the movement of heavy vehicles at the site.

 

The proposal will be the considered both by Parramatta Council and the NSW Planning Assessment Commission.

 

"Asbestos has had a devastating effect on far too many Australian lives," Mr Lennon said.

 

"The utmost precaution must be taken when dealing with asbestos and that principle is crucially important in this case."