The North Albury house in Stephen Street, bought by the government under its voluntary purchase and demolition program, will be covered in airtight plastic before the asbestos is removed.

Member for Albury Greg Aplin said the process would not bring safety concerns or risks for neighbours.

“It’s entirely controlled, it is fully enclosed in this thick white plastic encapsulation,” he said.

“Then the vacuuming will occur, as experts move into the house and little by little move from the roof cavity into the wall linings, into the floor linings.

“Every part has to be demolished inside in order for the loose-fill to be extracted safely.”

Demolitions have already occurred in Holbrook, where 38 houses have tested positive to loose-fill asbestos.

Mr Aplin said 15 Holbrook landowners would share in $88,000 from Greater Hume’s extra funding assistance announced by the NSW government more than eight months ago.

All applications were approved in full in this first round of funding, with $140,000 remaining in the community assistance package.

“Accountability is all important,” Mr Aplin said.

“I have been through the applications with the council’s general manager and some people haven’t completed them with the necessary quotes.

“This needs to be part and parcel of the process, that’s all been done now and ticked off, thank goodness.”

Greater Hume mayor Heather Wilton welcomed yesterday’s confirmation of the successful applications, but, when asked, said it was unfortunate the process had taken so long.

“It’s a government dealing with government, red tape, it can be difficult but we’re here today and this announcement is very good and we are very pleased,” she said.

Cr Wilton said the affected residents would be grateful for the extra support.

“They have been hurting,” she said.

“People are moving on, they are either building, they are going into a rented property or they are purchasing another property and they will use this money to very good effect.”