Flammable cladding will start to be removed from apartment blocks early next year under the NSW Government Project Remediate project after a triage process is completed.

Building firm Hansen Yuncken was last month appointed as managing contractor for the program, which has received Budget funding of $139 million.

Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson says progress to date has also included bringing onboard a global façade consultant and briefing strata communities.

“Each building is unique and will need a specific detailed plan to remediate, with the focus on completing the work as efficiently and safely as possible,” Mr Anderson said last week.

“The next step is to begin triage works in the coming months on those buildings that have signed up to the project, before commencing remediation straight after the traditional summer break in the trades industries.”

Mr Anderson says he remains confident the project will be completed by the end of 2023.

Work to begin removing the cladding had been expected to start before the end of this year, but the Sydney Morning Herald has reported delays due to COVID-19 restrictions.