ACT reveals number of buildings that need flammable cladding removed

The government has refused to disclose the list of buildings claiming it would be a security risk.

It completed an audit of government buildings finding more than 70 that could contain flammable cladding.

Speaking at ACT estimates hearings on Thursday, Major Projects Canberra chief projects officer Duncan Edghill said work to remove some of the cladding would begin soon.

He said 23 buildings identified in the audit - located across multiple ACT government directorates - were found to need rectification because of the potentially deadly cladding.

"We are on the cusp of beginning the physical rectification works," Mr Edgehill said.

He said a contract was due to be signed soon to remove the cladding from 11 of the buildings.

The remainder of the buildings will go through more internal processes before the removal works will proceed.

The government committed to inspecting territory owned buildings in the wake of the deadly Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017.

The audit quickly identified potentially dangerous cladding panels at Centenary Hospital and five other ACT health buildings.

But the wider audit of all territory-owned buildings dragged on for a number of years, with few details of its findings made public.

The government has rejected ongoing calls for an audit of privately owned buildings for the cladding, despite pressure from across the property industry.

The government has put aside $19 million to complete the cladding removal project, as well as about $2.5 million for a voluntary scheme for private owners.

It says all buildings found to contain the cladding are safe to occupy.

But it's unclear where the buildings are and whether they include public housing.

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