Article by Christine Middap, courtesy of The Australian
21.11.2025
The discovery of asbestos in turbines at a Chinese-built wind farm in Tasmania has sparked a national regulatory response amid fears a large number of turbines across the country will be affected.
The hazardous material was recently found in brake pads used in wind turbine tower lifts at the Cattle Hill wind farm in central Tasmania but regulators say the problem will be more widespread.
Chinese wind turbine manufacturer and wind farm developer, Goldwind, a major supplier of turbines in Australia, is working with regulators to determine the scale of the problem.
It supplies turbines to a number of wind farms and has projects across NSW, Victoria and Queensland, including White Rock, Gullen Range and Biala in NSW; Clarke Creek in Queensland; and Moorabool and Stockyard Hill in Victoria.
WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW confirmed on Friday that asbestos had been found in a number of wind farm sites and that investigations were under way in a co-ordinated response by state regulators.
The brake pads are part of the internal mechanism of the turbines and there is no suggestion of community exposure or environmental contamination. The level of risk to workers and contractors is unclear.
It follows the discovery of asbestos in coloured sand products imported from China which this week shut down schools and childcare centres in the ACT, Queensland and South Australia.
A spokesman for WorkSafe Victoria said the wind turbine brake pads were imported into Australia and supplied for use in wind turbine lifts across a number of jurisdictions.
“WorkSafe is working with the product supplier as well as other interstate and national regulators to determine and communicate associated risks and control measures, which include ensuring access to impacted wind turbine towers is restricted until the products can be safely removed and replaced with a suitable alternative,” he said.
The importation of goods containing asbestos into Australia has been prohibited since 2003.
Beijing Energy International (BJEI Australia) has provided updates on its websites for Gullen Range and Biala wind farms in the NSW southern tablelands.
“BJEI Australia is aware that the presence of asbestos has been identified in spare brake pads used on some of the internal service lifting devices, which are located inside our wind turbines at Biala Wind Farm,” it said.
“Since being advised of this issue, our focus has been on the health and safety of our staff, contractors and the community; and ensuring that all relevant authorities are informed and investigations and testing undertaken.”
It said Gullen Range Wind Farm uses a different brand of service lifting devices and brake pads and was not affected.
“We have remained in constant communication with Goldwind to understand the steps they have taken to ensure the relevant regulatory authorities have the information, access and support they need to undertake a thorough investigation and assessment,” it said.
“While initial indications suggest that the risks posed are extremely low, the health and safety of our staff, contractors and wider community remain our ultimate focus and priority.”
It is not believed the affected wind farms are subject to any stop orders while testing is undertaken.
WorkSafe Victoria said inspectors and technical experts would determine whether further action was required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Goldwind Australia was approached for comment.
