Asbestos contaminated material remains stockpiled within metres of family homes in the Namoi and Gingie villages, in areas where children play and families walk every day.

Walgett Shire Council says this is an urgent and unacceptable public health risk that the NSW Government has allowed to continue for far too long.

Mayor Jasen Ramien said the situation was indefensible and would not be tolerated anywhere else in New South Wales.

“In Sydney, the smallest amount of asbestos can be front page news and immediate action follows.

"Out here we have around 40,000 cubic metres of asbestos contaminated material sitting within metres of homes, in places where kids play, and it feels like no one cares,” Mayor Ramien said.

“I am asking a simple question, are Aboriginal kids in country NSW, in places like Walgett, less important than kids in the city.

"Because that is exactly what this looks like when not just months, but years go by and the hazard stays where it is.”

Mayor Ramien said the risk was foreseeable and growing, with the material exposed to weathering, wind, stormwater movement, incidental disturbance, unauthorised access, and the ongoing risk of fire and other natural events.

“A sign does not protect a child.

"This is not a technical debate.

"It is a known hazard sitting in a residential environment and the only proper response is to remove it."

Mayor Ramien said the risk is heightened because these communities are within a flood plain environment.

When floodwaters move through the area, they do not respect bunds, signs or fences.

Flooding increases the likelihood that contaminated material will be disturbed, redistributed and spread beyond the stockpile footprint, including into yards, streets and other parts of the community.

“Every time we flood, families are already dealing with enough. The idea that floodwaters could be moving contaminated material through a residential area is unacceptable, and it is another reason this cannot be left sitting there any longer,” Mayor Ramien said.

Walgett Council says their landfill site is ready to accept the asbestos.

Council says the lawful disposal pathway is available and the solution is ready to go.

Walgett Shire Council has invested heavily in the Walgett landfill, which is appropriately licensed and equipped to lawfully receive asbestos waste in compliance with environmental requirements.

Council is ready to safely load, transport and dispose of this material in a controlled and compliant manner.

“Council is sick of going around in circles.

"We understand around $5 million is currently allocated.

"That is not enough to finish the job, but it is more than enough to start removal now and make these communities safer,” Mayor Ramien said.

Mayor Ramien said Council has raised the issue previously with the Minister for Western NSW and through Council’s contacts with the Premier’s Department.

“All that has resulted in is more talks, more red tape, and now the suggestion of more testing.

"That means more wasted money and more delay, while families keep living next to hazardous material."

“The cheapest time to remove this material was when it was first stockpiled," he said.

"The second cheapest time is right now.

"Every month we delay, the cost goes up, the risk increases, and the message to these communities is that their safety can wait.

“We are calling on the NSW Government to engage Council immediately to get this process started, and then commit the additional funding next financial year to complete the work. Every tonne removed is risk removed. Every day we wait is another day families and kids are put at risk,” Mayor Ramien said.

Mayor Ramien said Council has sought an urgent meeting in Sydney with the Minister for Lands and Property to settle a practical pathway to immediate removal and disposal.

To date, Council has received no substantive response and no practical removal outcome has been delivered.

“This is about basic safety, dignity and fairness.

"These communities deserve the same practical protection that would be expected anywhere else in New South Wales,” Mayor Ramien said.