So far, 118 residents have registered to have their property inspected under the NSW Government Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program being administered by NSW Fair Trading.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said residents with homes built in the target period may not be aware of future implications.

“When a public register is established in the future it may be difficult to sell a home or offer it for lease if it has not been assessed,” he said.

Mr Stowe said, so far, 63 Orange homes had been tested, with no positive tests returned.

“We are aware that prior to the announcement of the NSW Government Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program on June 29, 2015, one property in Orange tested positive to loose-fill asbestos and was demolished,” he said.

Loose-fill asbestos insulation is raw asbestos that has been crushed into a fine state and installed in ceiling spaces.

During the 1960s and 1970s, pure loose-fill asbestos was sold as ceiling insulation for residential and commercial premises, with Canberra-based company Mr Fluffy installing insulation in about 1000 homes in the ACT and some homes in NSW. Asbestos fibres pose severe health risks if inhaled.

Orange is one of 28 identified local government areas in NSW to be offered free testing by the state government.

Mr Stowe said it was important that anyone who suspected their house may have loose-fill asbestos to register with NSW Fair Trading.

“For anyone whose house was built before 1980, I seriously advise them to register for the free testing,” he said.

The NSW government has implemented the Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program as part of its efforts to solve the loose-fill asbestos insulation problem.

Under the scheme houses identified as having the dangerous raw asbestos will be purchased by the government for demolition and/or remediation after demolition.

Anyone wishing to register should visit loosefillasbestos.nsw.gov.au or call Service NSW on 13 77 88 for more information.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au