Birdon was engaged by Defence to undertake maintenance dredging works in designated areas of Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney Harbour.

Pre-testing and waste classification identified extensive contamination within the sediments, including friable asbestos. Due to the presence of asbestos, all dredging, mixing, and loading activities were required to be conducted strictly in accordance with friable asbestos conditions.

RARE Environmental, an experienced friable asbestos removal contractor with prior dredging experience and Defence clearance, was engaged by Birdon to manage asbestos risks throughout the entire project.

• Developed a detailed Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP) and conducted asbestos awareness inductions for all Birdon workers. 

• Engaged and collaborated with an independent Licensed Asbestos Assessor (LAA) to conduct daily asbestos air monitoring and clearances. 

• Established an asbestos exclusion zone on both the dredging barge and the dockside loadout point, incorporating a decontamination unit. 

• Supervised and monitored dredging operations, ensuring continuous spill response and asbestos spoil management. 

• Implemented asbestos containment controls at the dockside area for barge docking, polymer mixing, and loading of waste transport vehicles. 

• Executed thorough decontamination of the dockside area, plant, and equipment after each loadout event, followed by clearance from the LAA.