In 2021, the NSW Government launched Project Remediate — a program designed to help remove combustible cladding from high-risk residential apartment buildings across the state. Backed by interest-free loans and government-managed project services, it was a direct response to the cladding safety concerns that followed the Grenfell Tower disaster and the Lacrosse building fire in Melbourne.
Five years on, it’s worth looking at where things stand.
The Numbers
A statewide audit originally identified 338 high-risk apartment buildings. Over 260 initially expressed interest in Project Remediate, but many owners corporations later chose to manage their own remediation outside the program.
Of the 76 buildings that stayed in the program, 46 have not yet completed their recladding — that’s around 60%. The program, originally planned as a three-year initiative running to late 2024, has since been extended to 2027.
Why Is It Taking So Long?
There are a few factors at play, and most of them are familiar to anyone who works in façade remediation:
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Scope growth — Once cladding comes off, additional issues often emerge. Balustrades, waterproofing, substrate condition. Buildings are complex, and remediation rarely stays within the original scope.
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Procurement and approvals — Each building requires its own design, specification, and tender process. Every replacement material needs to be verified non-combustible to AS 1530.1. That takes time to get right.
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Installer capacity — Qualified façade installers are spread across both remediation and new-build work. There’s steady demand and a limited pool.
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Strata decision-making — Owners corporations don’t always move quickly, even with funding available. Cost increases, special levies, and long timeframes create friction.
None of this is surprising to people in the industry. Remediation is inherently more complex than new build — you’re working with existing structures, existing approvals, and existing residents.
It’s Not Just NSW
Cladding remediation programs are running across multiple states, each at different stages:
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Victoria — Cladding Safety Victoria has remediated over 360 buildings but is winding down its partnership phase by mid-2026.
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ACT — The interest-free concessional loan scheme for cladding rectification on private buildings closed for applications on 27 February 2026.
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NSW — Project Remediate has been extended to 2027, with more than $105 million in targeted investment to date.
The common thread is that these programs are dealing with the legacy of materials that were widely used before the NCC tightened its requirements. It’s a long process, and there’s no quick fix.
What This Means Going Forward
For anyone specifying or installing façade materials today, the lesson from remediation is straightforward: getting the material selection right at the start avoids a much harder conversation later.
That means verified non-combustible materials, proper testing evidence to AS 1530.1, and clear documentation that satisfies certifiers and building owners alike. Not because regulation demands it — though it does — but because it’s the standard the industry is clearly moving toward.
The remediation pipeline across NSW, Victoria, and the ACT represents a significant body of work still to be delivered. For suppliers, installers, and specifiers, understanding where these programs sit and what they require is increasingly important.
Valmond & Gibson’s element13 is a 3mm solid aluminium cladding system, tested non-combustible to AS 1530.1 and used on remediation projects across Australia. If you’re working on a reclad or new-build project, we’re happy to talk through options.
Related Reading
- Cladding Remediation in Australia: What’s Happening Across the States
- DBPA NSW: What Facade Suppliers and Installers Need to Know
- Facade Remediation in 2026: What Building Owners Need to Know
- Combustible Cladding Bans by Australian State: 2026 Update
Last updated: 9 February 2026