Friable Asbestos Removal, Soil Remediation and Site Clearance for a Zillmere Knockdown Rebuild

The Brief: Clear the Property for a Knockdown Rebuild

The homeowner engaged Total Asbestos to remove an existing house and swimming pool in Zillmere so a new home could be built. The house had friable asbestos low-density board throughout its internal linings, which had to be removed under Class A conditions before demolition could start.

The job combined several stages: remove the internal asbestos linings, obtain clearance, demolish the house, remove the pool and backfill the void. When asbestos was discovered in the ground during slab and footing removal, Total Asbestos managed the additional soil remediation as well, with the homeowner’s approval.

Removing the Friable Asbestos Before Demolition

A six-person asbestos removal crew removed approximately 450 square metres of low-density board from the internal linings. The work area was enclosed with new plastic sheeting, with negative air units and wet decontamination chambers supporting the removal, all equipment owned by Total Asbestos.

Air monitoring was carried out during removal and during the clearance inspection. Total Asbestos reports the results were clear, and the hygienist issued clearance before house demolition began.

Demolition and an Unexpected Discovery Below Ground

The demolition stage used a four-person crew and a 20-tonne excavator. As the concrete slab and footings came out, the team identified asbestos-containing material in the ground.

Total Asbestos brought the homeowner on site to look at the discovery and decide how she wanted it managed. She authorised excavation and removal so the contamination could be dealt with as part of preparing the site for her new home. The excavation followed the visible material, continuing until the team could no longer see asbestos debris. Approximately 50 tonnes of contaminated soil were removed. A hygienist then carried out a visual inspection and issued a separate clearance for the soil remediation, distinct from the clearance for the house’s internal asbestos removal. The asbestos waste and the contaminated soil were transported to BMI at Stapylton.

Removing the Pool and Backfilling the Void

Total Asbestos removed the entire concrete swimming pool shell. The pool void was then backfilled with CBR 45 material and compacted using the company’s own roller. The homeowner did not require a compaction report, and none was provided.

One Contractor Across Every Stage

Total Asbestos owned all the equipment used on the job, including the 20-tonne excavator, the roller and the asbestos removal equipment, which is what allowed the asbestos removal, demolition, soil remediation and pool works to run as one project. The unexpected soil contamination was the main change to the planned scope; no significant access restrictions or issues with neighbouring properties were reported, and the homeowner could have the additional removal handled by the contractor already on site.

A Clean, Cleared Site for the Next Stage

Completed in July 2026 over approximately two weeks, the project left the homeowner with the house and pool removed, the contaminated soil addressed and the pool void backfilled. Total Asbestos handed the site back clean and cleared, and the homeowner was happy with the result.

Planning a knockdown rebuild on the northside?

We handle friable asbestos removal, asbestos-contaminated demolition, soil remediation and pool removal as one project across Brisbane’s northside, from Zillmere, Aspley and Chermside to North Lakes and Redcliffe. Contact Total Asbestos to discuss asbestos removal, demolition, pool removal and site preparation for your property.