Affected properties

Some Canberra homes were historically fitted with loose fill asbestos insulation (also called Mr Fluffy). An affected property is a house that contains, or has contained, loose fill asbestos insulation. These properties are managed under the Dangerous Substances Act 2004 because of the health risks of loose fill asbestos insulation.

While the majority of affected properties have been demolished as part of the Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation Eradication Scheme or privately, a small number of known properties still remain in Canberra's suburbs. There may also be some properties affected by loose fill asbestos insulation that are currently undiscovered in the community.

Identifying affected properties

Affected properties can be identified by checking the:

Register – this is the Affected Residential Premises Register, which identifies known, remaining affected properties by unit, block, section and division. It also includes the street address, date the property was included on the Register and whether it has been acquired by the Territory. Properties are removed from the Register once they meet the deregistration requirements. The Register is maintained in accordance with the Dangerous Substances Act 2004.
List – this identifies any known properties that are or were affected by loose fill asbestos insulation. It includes the unit, block, section and division, as well as street addresses.

Tradespeople and care workers should check the Register to identify if they will be working on or in a known affected property. The Register also notes whether a property requires an asbestos management plan and whether there is a compliant plan in place. Tradespeople, care workers and visitors are encouraged to review a copy of the Asbestos Management Plan, which should be in a display case at the main entrance to the house, for details of contamination within the property.

Learn more about your responsibilities when visiting an affected property.

Not on our list and concerned a property may have loose fill asbestos insulation? Find out more.

Homeowner and occupier responsibilities

Homeowners and occupiers of an affected property on the Register have responsibilities under the Dangerous Substances Act 2004.

Find out more about homeowner and occupier responsibilities.

Purchaser of last resort

The Purchaser of Last Resort (POLR) is a standing offer to purchase any affected house not surrendered under the Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation Eradication Scheme.

Request for acquisition for deceased estates

The Request for Acquisition for Deceased Estates (RFA) is available to executors or beneficiaries of deceased estates for properties not surrendered under the Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation Eradication Scheme. It allows the executor or beneficiary to request the Territory to acquire the affected property after the homeowner has seen out their final years in their home.

Private demolition and sale

Homeowners may decide to undertake a private demolition or private sale of their affected property.

Rebuilding

You can rebuild on a remediated block that has been removed from the Affected Residential Premises Register, whether it was part of the Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation Eradication Scheme or demolished privately.

Find out more about rebuilding.

Compulsory acquisition

The ACT Government will continue to consider compulsory acquisition on a case-by-case basis. At this time, none of the small number of remaining affected properties are being actively considered for compulsory acquisition.

The next formal review point for this decision will be in 2027. The remaining affected properties in private ownership have legislative requirements that they need to comply with, including Asbestos Management Plan requirements, development and building approval restrictions, and occupancy prohibition for any new owners and tenants.

Any compulsory acquisition undertaken will be in accordance with the requirements of the Lands Acquisition Act 1994.

More information

There can be a range of reactions to learning you may have lived in, worked on or in, or even visited an affected property.

ACT Health has advised that just because a person has been exposed to loose fill asbestos insulation does not mean they will necessarily develop an asbestos related medical condition. However, people who are concerned about their health should seek advice from their general practitioner who can provide an assessment of individual circumstance and exposure risks.

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