A PROPERTY in the Berrigan area is the first to test positive for loose-fill asbestos in NSW under a state government testing program.
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The property, located halfway between Albury and Echuca in the southern Riverina, is in addition to the 10,000 Wagga homes that could require inspection for the deadly asbestos known as Mr Fluffy.
A NSW Parliament Joint Select Committee report on loose-fill asbestos insulation released in December indicated the impact of Mr Fluffy may be much larger than initially estimated.
The Heads of Asbestos Co-ordination Authorities WorkCover NSW commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to undertake an independent forensic investigation to determine the extent of loose-fill asbestos insulation in October 2014.
Preliminary findings indicate that between 590 and 2164 properties in NSW may contain the insulation.
This is considerably higher than the Local Government NSW estimation of between 230 and 316 homes, provided in August last year.
Licensed asbestos assessor and occupational hygienist Juliet Duffy, of Regional Enviroscience, is working with WorkCover to collect samples and test for Mr Fluffy insulation in homes in potentially affected areas.
"The preliminary findings of PricewaterhouseCoopers indicates there are possible 100 to 140 homes in the Riverina region that could be affected," Ms Duffy said.
"Based on population demographics in Wagga alone, this means up to 10,000 private dwellings could require inspection."
The committee reported that a low take up of voluntary testing for loose-fill asbestos was, in part, due to a lack of awareness of the scheme and its time constraints.
The Berrigan property brings to 60 the number of NSW homes found to contain the asbestos, including 14 houses and one block of 38 units in Queanbeyan, a home in each Yass Valley, Palerang, Berrigan, Orange, Lithgow, Bankstown, Parramatta and Manly.
NSW Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet announced a financial assistance package for residents who were confirmed to have Mr Fluffy in their homes, providing the same levels of assistance as in the ACT.
Free voluntary testing is only available for 12 months, by phoning 13 77 88 or visiting www.nsw.gov.au/loosefillasbestos
