Final weeks to have houses checked for loose-fill asbestos

One home in Orange was demolished after it was found to have contained the deadly material, installed by a company known as Mr Fluffy, and it is therefore possible the material was sold to more home owners in the city, according to Orange Deputy mayor Chris Gryllis.

“If your home was built before 1980 then you should register with NSW Fair Trading to have the home inspected,” Cr Gryllis said.

“Mr Fluffy material was found to be in one home in Orange, it is likely it was put in other homes also.”

Mr Fluffy is a brand name of asbestos that has been crushed into a fine state and was used as ceiling insulation is houses in the ACT and NSW.

Under the NSW Government’s Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program residents can register for a free test to determine if the material was used as insulation in the home.

So far 596 Orange homes have been registered for testing and 350 homes have been tested in the city since the program started on June 29, 2015.

Cr Gryllis said as well as potential health impacts, it was important home owners have their property tested because there could be implications when it comes time to sell the property.

“The state government is considering options to make it compulsory in the contract of sale to disclose if the property is free from loose-fill asbestos,” he said.

“The government is also considering making it a requirement that a warning notice be included in all contracts of sale to alert potential buyers of the risk of loose-fill asbestos in pre-1980s homes.”

Homes found to have loose-fill asbestos would be purchased by the government and then demolished. However residents could be eligible for further financial assistance through the government’s relocation assistance package.

To register for the free test and to find out more phone 13 77 88 or go to www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au