Positive test for loose-fill asbestos at Wagga property

NSW Fair Trading has advised Council that a positive test for loose-fill asbestos has been received from a residential property in the Local Government Area (LGA).The test comes as the registration deadline for the NSW Government's Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program approaches on 1 August.

This is the first time loose-fill asbestos has been identified in a Wagga property with more than 2000 properties in the LGA registering for free testing to date.

Loose-fill asbestos was used as insulation in some NSW homes during the 1960s and 70s and the NSW Government has determined that demolition, comprehensive site remediation and disposal are the best ways to ensure the health and safety of the NSW community.In order to determine exactly how many properties may contain loose-fill asbestos insulation, the NSW Government is encouraging all owners of homes built pre-1980 to register for free testing.

Twenty-eight LGAs, including Wagga, were identified as potentially being affected by loose-fill asbestos. Queanbeyan is the most affected with 60 properties testing positive, while Greater Hume is second with 20 and Berrigan next with 18.

Homeowners who register with the program, and meet the basic criteria will be eligible for a free test for loose-fill asbestos as well as access to the financial support if loose-fill asbestos is identified.More than 23,000 NSW homeowners have registered for free sample testing. As a result, NSW Fair Trading anticipates up to an eight-week wait for homeowners to receive a response and an additional wait of up to 16 weeks until a test can be conducted.

As long as homeowners register before 1 August they will still be eligible for the program despite the backlog.

Residents who own a pre-1980s constructed house are encouraged to register for the program before the 1 August deadline. For more information, visit www.loosefillasbestos.nsw.gov.au or call Service NSW on 13 77 88.