RESIDENTS of southern NSW are strongly encouraged to attend a continuing series of community forums about loose-fill asbestos and the NSW Government’s Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program.
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With the registration deadline for free sample testing fast approaching, NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said homeowners should participate in the program while assistance was being offered.
“I urge those with homes built before 1980 to register and sign up for the program because they may be eligible for assistance if affected,” Mr Stowe said.
“Homeowners only have until August 1 this year to register - that’s less than three months away - and we don’t want anyone left behind.”
Twenty-eight local government areas (LGAs) have been identified as being affected by loose-fill asbestos, many of them in the state’s south.
Mr Stowe said the NSW Government was determined to locate and eradicate loose-fill asbestos from all affected properties.
“These forums are fundamental in engaging the community, dealing with the loose-fill asbestos problem head-on and ensuring people know what assistance is available to them before making a decision about the future of their properties.
We are providing safety, certainty and support to residents in the region and ensuring there is an enduring solution to the loose-fill asbestos problem in NSW,” Mr Stowe said.
Loose-fill asbestos was used as insulation in 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.
The NSW Government is proposing new laws to protect future homeowners from unknowingly purchasing a property that contains loose-fill asbestos. Under these laws, when selling a property, homeowners must confirm in the contract of sale if the property contains loose-fill asbestos or or is free of loose-fill asbestos.
If homeowners do not comply with these laws, they risk significant financial loss and potential legal action.
Community forums will be held in the following LGAs:
- Snowy River, Tuesday, 31 May 2016 from 7 to 8pm, at the Jindabyne Memorial Hall (Thredbo Terrace, Jindabyne)
- Tumbarumba, Wednesday, June 1 from 7 to 8pm at the Tumbarumba RSL Memorial Hall (58 Winton Street, Tumbarumba)
- Bega Valley, Tuesday, June 7 from 7 to 8pm in the Biamanga Room, Bega Valley Commemorative Centre (Zingle Place, Bega)
- Eurobodalla, Wednesday, June 8 from 7 to 8pm at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club (2 Beach Road, Batemans Bay)
- Bombala, Wednesday, June 15 from 7 to 8pm at the Bombala RSL Club (156 Maybe Street, Bombala)
- Cooma-Monaro, Thursday, June 16 from 7 to 8pm at the Cooma Ex-Services Club (106 Vale Street, Cooma)
- Upper Lachlan, Tuesday, June 21 from 7 to 8pm at the Crookwell RSL Services Club (127 Goulburn Street, Crookwell).
Find out more at loosefillasbestos.nsw.gov.au or by calling Service NSW on 13 77 88.
