Loose-fill asbestos insulation 

Loose-fill asbestos is raw crushed asbestos, which in the 1960s and 70s was instald as ceiling insulation in an unknown number of NSW homes. Over time hazardous airborne fibres can move from the ceiling into living spaces.

Earlier experience in both NSW and the ACT has demonstrated that simply removing loose-fill asbestos from a ceiling cavity does not remove the enduring hazard.

The NSW Government, with input from a range of experts, has determined that demolition, comprehensive site remediation and disposal are the best ways to ensure the health and safety of the NSW community.

The Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program (the Program) and its associated financial assistance package provide safety, certainty and support for NSW residents.

Related measures include new laws to identify properties affected by loose-fill asbestos insulation and to protect residents, workers and communities.

Under the Home Building Act 1989 the NSW Government is required to maintain a register of residential properties that contain loose-fill asbestos insulation. This enables emergency services, tradespeople, Councils and the broader community to check whether a particular property is affected.

Property testing undertaken by licensed asbestos assessors is the best and safest way to determine whether or not a property contains loose-fill asbestos insulation.

 

Program update

Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program

Information current as at 27/06/2017

97,586 Registrations Registrations not proceeding: 26,791			42,866 Sample tests conducted Including 42,727 negative tests
139 Identified affected properties			135 Valuations requested Including 133 completed valuations
354 Financial assistance payments			80 Properties purchased
26 Stamp duty concessions claimed			85 Offers accepted - Land and premises
28 Offers accepted - Premises only			19 Demolitions started
18 Demolitions completed			14  Sites remediated

Top of page

Related information

• Loose-fill asbestos guide
  Information for real estate agency principals, their agents, property managers, strata managers and auctioneers

• Loose-fill Asbestos Insulation in NSW Homes (PDF size: 2.01 Mb)
  Download a copy of the NSW Government’s 2015 Loose-fill Insulation Taskforce Report