Run by

The LEAD Group Inc
The Lead Education and Abatement Design Group
Working to eliminate lead poisoning globally and to protect the
environment from lead in all its uses: past, current and new uses
ABN 25 819 463 114
Australians! Take action
today. Is lead harming
you & your kids? Buy low
cost, NATA accredited
laboratory lead test kits
here. Sample your dust,
soil, water, paint, toys,
jewellery, ceramics
what's new 

Water Lead test Kits

Proceeds from our DIY Home Lead Assessment kit sales go towards the
Keeping Australian Lead Out of Leaded Petrol Initiative.

Search this site
 
Search tips 
What's New

About Us
bell system lead poisoning
Contact Us
Council Lead Project
egroups
Library-Fact Sheets
Home Page
Media Releases
Newsletters
Q&A
Referral Lists
Reports
Site Map
Slide Shows-Films
Subscribe-Donate
Useful Links

Visitor Number

  QUESTION: Can we pressure our neighbour to remove lead paint or do the work ourselves? 06 Jul 2006, New South Wales Australia

We live in a terrace in Balmain. Our neighbour's house has a wall against the boundary facing into our rear courtyard. The paint on this wall is flaking off. We have had it tested and it has lead in it. When we first moved in we asked her if we could have the wall stripped and repainted, but she said she would do it as it was her wall and she did not want us to touch it. That was four years ago, and despite several requests, nothing has been done.
What are our rights? Can we pressure her into doing the work, or can we do the work ourselves? I have spoken to Leichhardt Council, but they were unable to help. I have also Spoken to the EPA who referred me to you.
Thanks Jean
ANSWER: 12 Jul 2006

Dear Jean,
I tried to check up on whether I had the right idea of the process involved by calling Steve Blaydon, Environmental Health Officer, Team Leader of Compliance, Leichhardt Municipal Council, but unfortunately he won't be in until tomorrow so please call him then to check whether the following is correct before proceeding (Phone direct 93679078, switch 93679222, mobile 0408614336).
I believe that the process you need to go through with your neighbour is to put in writing that you request she remove flaking lead paint from the boundary wall onto your courtyard, due to the health and environmental risks. Also request that the paint that has already flaked into your courtyard (if any is still evident) be cleaned up. If you are still happy to do the work then put that in writing too.
After a couple of weeks if you get no response then ask Steve Blaydon at the Council (in writing - stephenb@lmc.nsw.gov.au) to present your neighbour with a clean up order that specifies that only lead safe paint removal or paint preparation techniques must be used.
It will help if you have read the sections on Prevention and Clean Up Notices [also search for the terms "clean up and prevention notices" and "clean up notices"] in our Council ToolKit

Please let me know if you need any other info.
Regards
Yours Sincerely
Elizabeth O'Brien

 

About Us | bell system lead poisoning | Contact Us | Council LEAD Project | egroups | Library - Fact Sheets | Home Page | Media Releases
Newsletters
| Q & A | Referral lists | Reports | Site Map | Slide Shows - Films | Subscription | Useful Links |  Search this Site
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
Last Updated 14 September 2012
Copyright © The LEAD Group Inc. 1991- 2012
PO Box 161 Summer Hill NSW 2130 Australia
Phone: +61 2 9716 0014