Greater Hume

Nearly 100 people visited NSW Fair Trading information stands in Holbrook, Henty and Culcairn this week to learn more about the government’s voluntary purchase and demolition program.

Greater Hume Council environment and planning director Colin Kane said the council resolved to waive associated costs like development application and construction certificate fees in cases of demolition owing to loose-fill asbestos.

“Just to provide some assistance,” Mr Kane said.

“Obviously we want people to rebuild, we don't want to lose dwellings. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to rebuild and not leave the shire.”

Loose-fill asbestos was used as insulation in the 1960s and 1970s. Owners can register for the testing program until August 1. 

NSW Fair Trading commissioner Rod Stowe said Greater Hume had been “a bit of a hotspot” for positive results in the government’s free sample test scheme.

“We know the Mr Fluffy business operated in that area,” he said. “We also understood that there was a shipment from Melbourne of loose-fill asbestos that I think found its way into Holbrook and was distributed from there.”

Mr Stowe said the taskforce was now working through the valuation process with affected Greater Hume homeowners.

Mr Kane encouraged all eligible residents to have their properties tested.

“They shouldn’t assume that they know the answer, they should just avail themselves of the program if they’ve got a pre-1980 house,” he said. “If they’ve registered and got a clear certificate, they’ve got that piece of paper and that assurance that they’re not going to have any problems when they sell in the future.

“There has to be some sort of acceptance that there’s potential there; if they’ve got an older house, just get it looked into and dealt with.”