Melb suburb declared safe from asbestos

Victoria's health department has declared a suburb in Melbourne's north safe after a thorough asbestos investigation.

People living around the former Wunderlich asbestos factory in Sunshine North have been waiting to hear whether the homes they're still living in are safe to occupy.

Two hectares of land at the factory were covered in asbestos dust for 20 years from the mid-1950s.

Research identified that 25 people who lived near the factory had died or became ill with asbestos-related illnesses.

A Department of Health and Human Services report says all 54 homes near the factory were "suitable to live in with no further action required".