Asbestos-containing material at Seaford caves
Asbestos-containing material identified at Seaford fisherman’s caves
Asbestos-containing material (ACM) has been identified at the site of the former Seaford fisherman’s caves.
The caves are part of the history of the Fleurieu Peninsula coast. Rather than being natural formations, they were hand-carved into the soft limestone cliffs by local fishermen and were used to store boats, nets and fishing equipment.
By the 1960s, a number of structures had been built around the cave entrances, including shelters, ramps and other structures made from a variety of materials.
SafeWork SA contacted Council on 21 September 2026 following an inspection of the area and advised that ACM may be present.
Council engaged an independent asbestos specialist to inspect the site and undertake sampling. The investigation, completed on 25 September, confirmed the presence of ACM.
Council was not previously aware of ACM at this location.
The site already had signage advising people not to enter the former caves.
Additional signage warning of the presence of asbestos has now been installed.
Council has engaged a specialist contractor to undertake an appropriate collection of accessible asbestos-containing material (known as an ‘emu pick’) and airborne fibre monitoring.
This work is scheduled to commence on 6 October 2026.
The site will also be recorded on Council’s Contaminated Land Register.
Visitors to the beach should continue not to enter the former fisherman’s caves or disturb materials at the site.
FAQs
What has been found?
Asbestos-containing material (ACM) has been confirmed at the site of the former Seaford fisherman’s caves.
Council was advised by SafeWork SA on 21 September 2026 that ACM may be present. Council then engaged an independent asbestos specialist to inspect the site and undertake sampling.
The investigation confirmed the presence of ACM.
What are the Seaford fisherman’s caves?
The caves are part of the history of the Fleurieu Peninsula coast.
Rather than being natural formations, the caves were hand-carved into the soft limestone cliffs by local fishermen.
The caves provided sheltered spaces for fishermen to store boats, nets and heavy fishing equipment, protecting them from tides and weather.
Similar fisherman’s caves were created elsewhere along the Fleurieu Peninsula coast, most notably at Port Willunga.
Why is there building material at the site?
The caves themselves were excavated into the limestone cliffs, but structures were also built around the cave entrances over time.
By the 1960s, the site included shelters, concrete ramps and other structures made from a variety of materials.
Some of the older materials associated with these former structures may have contained asbestos.
Council was not previously aware that ACM was present at the site.
The former Seaford fisherman’s caves and associated structures in the 1960s.
When did Council become aware of the potential presence of asbestos?
SafeWork SA contacted Council on 21 September 2026 following an inspection of the beach near Seaford.
SafeWork SA advised Council that asbestos-containing material may be present at the site.
Council subsequently engaged an independent asbestos specialist to investigate the site.
When was asbestos confirmed?
The specialist investigation and sampling was completed on 25 September 2026.
The testing confirmed the presence of asbestos-containing material.
What is Council doing about it?
Council has put standard risk management measures in place at the site.
Additional signage warning of the presence of asbestos has been installed, in addition to existing signage advising people not to enter the former caves.
Council has also engaged a specialist contractor to undertake collection of accessible asbestos-containing material and airborne fibre monitoring.
This work is scheduled to commence on 6 October 2026.
What is an “emu pick”?
An emu pick is a method used to collect visible fragments of material from the ground without disturbing the surrounding soil unnecessarily.
A specialist contractor will undertake the collection of accessible asbestos-containing material at the site.
Will air monitoring be undertaken?
Yes.
Airborne fibre monitoring will be undertaken as part of the scheduled specialist works.
Can I visit the beach?
Yes people can visit the beach, noting that the former fisherman’s caves are already marked with signage advising people not to enter.
People should follow all signage and should not enter the caves or disturb materials at the site.
What should I do if I see suspected asbestos-containing material?
Do not touch, move or disturb it.
Leave the material where it is and keep away from the area.
Is the asbestos from stormwater infrastructure?
There is no known old stormwater drainage infrastructure at this location or within the debris identified at the site.
The debris present is predominantly associated with the former fisherman’s caves, boat ramps and shelters.
Why is the site being added to Council’s Contaminated Land Register?
The site will be included on Council’s Contaminated Land Register because asbestos-containing material has been confirmed at the location.
The register provides a record of land where contamination has been identified and supports appropriate management of the site.
Has anyone been exposed to asbestos?
Council's investigations have confirmed the presence of asbestos-containing material at the site.
The presence of ACM does not, by itself, establish that a person has been exposed to airborne asbestos fibres.
Council has engaged a specialist contractor to undertake airborne fibre monitoring as part of the scheduled works.
Why wasn't the asbestos identified earlier?
Council was not previously aware that asbestos-containing material was present at this location.
SafeWork SA identified the potential presence of ACM during its inspection of the area on 21 September 2026.
Council then arranged for an independent specialist to investigate and test the material. This confirmed the presence of ACM on 25 September.
Is the site contaminated?
Asbestos-containing material has been confirmed at the site, and Council will therefore record the site on its Contaminated Land Register.
The site is being managed in accordance with appropriate risk management protocols, including signage, specialist collection and airborne fibre monitoring.
Is the asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos-containing material can present a health risk when asbestos fibres become airborne and are inhaled.
For this reason, people should not enter the former fisherman’s caves or disturb materials at the site.
Council is taking steps to manage the material and has engaged appropriately qualified specialists to undertake the collection and monitoring work.
When will the asbestos be removed?
Collection of accessible asbestos-containing material and airborne fibre monitoring is scheduled to commence in the week of 6 October 2026.
The timing of any further works will depend on the findings of the specialist investigation and scheduled works.
Will the caves be closed?
The former fisherman’s caves already have signage advising people not to enter.
Additional signage warning of the presence of asbestos has now been installed.
People should follow the signage and not enter the caves.
Is there asbestos throughout the area?
Testing has confirmed the presence of ACM at the site.
Council's specialist contractor will undertake collection of accessible material and airborne fibre monitoring as scheduled.
Council will provide further information if the specialist works identify anything that requires additional action.
Who identified the asbestos?
SafeWork SA identified the potential presence of asbestos during an inspection of the area and notified Council on 21 September 2026.
Council then engaged an independent asbestos specialist, which confirmed the presence of ACM through site investigation and sampling completed on 25 September.
What happens next?
Specialist collection of accessible asbestos-containing material and airborne fibre monitoring is scheduled to commence in the week of 6 October 2026.
Council will continue to manage the site using appropriate risk protocols and will provide further information if required following the works.
Where can I get more information?
Council will publish any further information that is relevant to the community as the investigation and management of the site progresses.