New Mr Fluffy asbestos house found in Lyons

Loose fibres were found in the ceiling cavity of the Lyons residence by a building inspector preparing a property report on December 17.

The asbestos was located only in the northern extension area of the roof cavity and was hidden underneath other insulation.

The discovery marks the 13th house missed in the original Commonwealth clean-up program conducted between 1989 and 1993. The seventh to be identified since an eradication scheme was announced in 2014.

Records show the property was inspected during the original clean-up program but the asbestos was missed.

Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti said when a new property was discovered it was "distressing, disruptive and difficult for those directly involved".

"Six out of the seven properties identified after the scheme commenced in 2014 were all found by tradespeople in the course of conducting renovations/repairs, with the most recent discovery made via a building inspection of the property," Ms Vassarotti said.

"In all seven properties, loose-fill asbestos insulation was installed in only part of the roof cavity, with other insulation products installed over the top or alongside the asbestos insulation.

"A review of the circumstances of these properties shows that current provisions, including mandatory asbestos awareness training for tradespeople, has been effective in identifying the small number of homes that have been detected since the scheme commenced."

Meanwhile, another Mr Fluffy house was discovered in August 2021, a day after a voluntary buyback scheme came into effect in the ACT.

Additional houses were identified in December 2016, July and November 2019, and February and March 2020.

The taskforce will be wound up on June 30, 2022, more than seven years after then chief minister Katy Gallagher declared the more than 1000 affected homes should be demolished within five years as part of a $1 billion buyback and demolition scheme.

"There may be additional discoveries of residential properties that contain loose fill asbestos insulation in their roof cavity. The ACT Government will continue to review the settings and characteristics of properties that have been identified to assess if additional mechanisms are required," Ms Vassarotti said.

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"Any person concerned that their house may contain loose-fill asbestos should engage a licensed asbestos assessor. The cost of an assessment will be reimbursed by the ACT government if the property is identified as affected by loose fill asbestos insulation. Home owners of newly discovered properties will be invited to participate in the scheme's ongoing buyback program."

Home owners with further questions about loose fill asbestos have been encouraged to contact the asbestos response taskforce on 6205 4700 or email asbestostaskforce@act.gov.au.

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