This progress comes at a time when another Holbrook property has tested positive to the dangerous insulation material, the 34^th home affected in the town and 38^th overall in the shire.

A NSW Fair Trading spokesman said 18 of those properties had gone to tender to be demolished under the government’s voluntary purchase and demolition program.

“The contractor will begin taking control of these properties in July, with demolition expected to take place in the second half of the year,” he said.

On May 8, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean visited Holbrook to announce extra funding of up to $10,000 for each property, recognising the town as a special case given the high number of homes affected.

The Fair Trading spokesman said the administrative guidelines for this community assistance were delivered to Greater Hume Council this week.

“The Greater Hume Shire Council will be managing the application process,” the spokesman said.

“Under the guidelines, a recommendation for community assistance by the assessment panel must be made to the minister within 40 business days of receipt of the application. Additional financial assistance through the soft furnishings allowance is being distributed.”

Greater Hume Council general manager Steven Pinnuck confirmed the guidelines had arrived.

“Whilst it’s probably taken a little bit longer than what council had hoped and probably the residents had hoped … I suppose when you’re talking public money you’ve always got to have checks and balances in place to ensure that it’s expended as it was intended,” he said.

Mr Pinnuck said the council was disappointed another positive test had emerged, with about 60 properties in the shire still to be assessed.

“It looks like there could be a few more yet, perhaps,” he said. “Hopefully not, but we’re just going to have to deal with that.”