The ACT Government’s decision to release the address list of 1021 homes confirmed to contain asbestos affected home insulation has been welcomed by the chief executive officer of the National Electrical and Communications Association, Mr Suresh Manickam.

“We thank the ACT Government for listening to our concerns to ensure that a list of affected homes is released,” Mr Manickam said.

“NECA has actively lobbied the ACT Government to ensure a proper resolution for both homeowners and electrical contractors that did not compromise personal safety. Safety for homeowners, contractors and electricians is a fundamental tenet and the releasing of this address list will ensure a greater degree of certainty.”

It’s estimated that up to 30,000 residents may be affected by the release of the database next week whilst calculations have been conducted by the ACT Asbestos Taskforce to estimate the number of residents who lived in the affected homes over the last fifty years.

Last year, the ACT Government announced that all 1021 homes would be bought back from present owners and demolished, following a $1 Billion loan from the Commonwealth.

“With electrical contractors regularly called upon to enter ceiling spaces, under floor areas or cavity walls, the publishing of this list provides certainty and awareness for electrical contractors prior to entering a work site in the ACT,” said Mr Manickam.