The shadow of Goliath: Tasmania’s asbestos giant

It was one of Tasmania's proudest industrial success stories. It was also one of its deadliest.

Thousands of Australians have lost their lives to asbestos. Many died unnecessarily because asbestos manufacturers and suppliers continued to produce dangerous products after they knew the products could injure and kill people.

Hardie and CSR became synonymous with Australia’s asbestos tragedy. But another, less nationally recognised company earned an equally grim reputation in Tasmania: Goliath Portland Cement Ltd, based in the small town of Railton.

Goliath’s deadly cement

On the northern coast of Tasmania sits the small town of Penguin. It’s home to the ‘Big Penguin’, a cement landmark popular with tourists.

What many visitors may not realise is that the ‘Big Penguin’ was supplied to the town by Goliath and contains asbestos materials commonly used in construction products at the time.

Cement produced by Goliath, infused with asbestos fibres, was distributed throughout Australia. Goliath produced so much cement that the company pioneered its bulk transportation using enormous specialised cargo ships, including the MV Goliath.

The risks extended across the product’s lifecycle. Mining and transporting asbestos, and mixing it into cement, could release dangerous dust and microscopic fibres into the air. The danger didn’t end at the factory gates. Cutting, drilling, crumbling or demolishing asbestos cement products could also release fibres that could be inhaled.

At the Railton plant alone, around 3,000 workers were exposed to asbestos. An unknown number of other Australians may have been exposed to Goliath’s products, including people who handled or worked near them.

Asbestos in Australia

Asbestos use in Australia began in the early 20th century, with significant growth during the post-World War II construction boom. It was prized for its affordability, durability and resistance to fire.

At the time, asbestos appeared to provide an affordable and highly versatile construction material. Its devastating health consequences would continue to emerge for decades.

So much asbestos was mined in Wittenoom in Western Australia that the town eventually became unsafe for human habitation. Australia also imported asbestos from overseas, adding to its widespread use throughout the built environment.

Australia’s unions fought for decades to highlight the risks of asbestos, culminating in the 2003 ban on the manufacture, use, import, and export of asbestos and asbestos-containing products. However, by then, asbestos had already been used extensively throughout Australia.

Why Goliath became known as “Tasmania’s James Hardie”

Founded in Railton in 1923 as the Tasmanian Cement Company, the business later known as Goliath benefited from the region's rich limestone deposits and its proximity to the port of Devonport.

After being renamed Goliath Portland Cement in 1928, the company became a major contributor to Tasmania's industrial growth and supplied cement for infrastructure projects across Australia. Due to its extensive manufacture of asbestos-containing products, the company was sometimes described as 'Tasmania's James Hardie'.

The company produced roofing materials, flat sheets, pipes and other building products. These materials were widely used in homes, schools and public buildings, exposing workers and consumers to asbestos fibres.

Goliath’s legacy remains in Australian buildings today. Some people may be unaware that they were exposed because asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop.

How asbestos causes disease

Asbestos doesn’t always cause illness immediately. This delayed effect is part of what makes exposure so dangerous.

There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibres can be released into the air and inhaled. Exposure can occur through:

• mining asbestos
• transporting raw asbestos materials
• manufacturing asbestos-containing products
• installing asbestos products, including cutting or drilling asbestos cement sheets
• maintaining, repairing or demolishing asbestos-containing structures
• renovating, living in or working around buildings that contain asbestos materials.

Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause a range of serious diseases, including:

• mesothelioma: an aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs or abdomen that is caused by asbestos exposure
• lung cancer and other cancers: asbestos exposure can increase the risk of several cancers, particularly of the respiratory system
• asbestosis: a chronic lung disease caused by scarring of the lungs, which can lead to shortness of breath and reduced lung function.

Asbestos exposure can also cause a group of conditions known as asbestos-related pleural diseases, or ARPDs. These affect the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs, and include:

• pleural thickening: thickening of the pleura that can cause chest pain and breathing difficulties
• pleural plaques: localised areas of thickened pleura, often an indicator of past asbestos exposure
• benign asbestos pleural effusion (BAPE): a non-cancerous build-up of fluid around the lungs.

Many asbestos-related diseases do not develop until decades after exposure. Someone may have been exposed as a tradesperson, factory worker, resident or child, and experience no symptoms until many years later.

People who worked at Goliath, lived near the Railton facility or handled Goliath asbestos cement products may benefit from recording the details of their potential exposure, even if they have not been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.

Reforms and the fight for justice

Australia banned the use of asbestos in 2003, following decades of advocacy by unions, health professionals, lawyers, affected families and public health advocates. While the ban prevented the use of new asbestos products, it could not undo the harm already caused or remove existing asbestos from the built environment.

In 2003, Cement Australia acquired Goliath. The company later began removing asbestos from the Railton site, offering health screenings to former workers and settling compensation claims relating to Goliath products. However, some people who were exposed may still be unaware of their potential rights.

The Railton facility remains active, producing 1.4 million tonnes of cement annually.

Railton’s industrial story continues. But for people whose lives have been affected by Goliath’s asbestos products, the consequences of the past may never be entirely left behind.

What to do if you’ve been exposed to asbestos

If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos and has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you should immediately seek medical and legal advice. Our team of dedicated asbestos lawyers can advise you of your rights and your options and help you obtain compensation.

Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition but believe you may have been exposed to asbestos, you can register your exposure with our National Dust Register.

Asbestos-related diseases can develop decades after exposure, making it difficult to remember where, when and how the exposure occurred. Information stored on the register may help you recall relevant details if you need them in the future.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.