Housing SA

In reply to the Hon. M.C. PARNELL (30 October 2014). (First Session)

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): The Minister for Social Housing has received this advice:

1. Asbestos management in South Australia comes under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012, which does not require asbestos registers for domestic residential properties. This includes Housing SA properties. Housing SA is therefore unable to determine how many properties contain asbestos.

2. None of the Housing SA properties that are currently vacant were vacated specifically due to the presence of asbestos.

3. All work on a Housing SA property must be undertaken by Housing SA Maintenance Contractors, or following Housing SA approval. In this way, any work on properties built prior to 1990 can be closely monitored. Where a risk is identified, the Maintenance Centre will undertake asbestos testing. In addition, maintenance works on preparing vacant properties for re-letting may include removal of asbestos products.

4. Under the Relocation Guidelines, Housing SA may require a tenant to relocate if it is determined that the condition of their property poses a risk to their health or safety. Housing SA may also temporarily relocate a tenant if it is impractical and/or unsafe for maintenance work to be carried out while their property is occupied.

If the estimated time to complete the work is five working days or less, Housing SA will offer the tenant assistance into motel/caravan park accommodation if they are unable to arrange alternate accommodation themselves. Housing SA will pay the base room rate or base van/cabin hire fee.

If the estimated time to complete the work is greater than five working days, Housing SA will arrange for the tenant to be temporarily relocated to an alternate Housing SA property. In either case, Housing SA will arrange for the tenant's furniture/goods to be removed and stored, if necessary.

5. For prospective purchasers, specific information regarding the possible presence of asbestos is not provided to the purchaser; however:

all sales agreements contain information relating to asbestos management. During the preparation for sale of properties any broken/damaged asbestos is safely removed and the area made good

all properties offered for sale 'as is' have an independent building inspection completed and made available for customers to review.