The pilot program would involve developing a state policy which aims to simplify the process involved in removing burnt-out houses containing asbestos.

Although the specifics of the program are yet to be finalised, MPSC director of planning and community development Angus Witherby said the pilot would involve a thorough examination of the current "lengthy and complicated" process.

"What I'd like to see coming out of the project is a much simpler, cleaner process where everyone's roles are clear and the costs involved are more affordable," he said.

"At the moment we're looking at $1.3 million [to remove all the burnt-out houses in Moree]. That is not something council can pull out of thin air. But I'm in absolute agreeance with councillors that we really need to address this issue.

"It's not just public health, but the imagery and messaging it sends to the people who live in town and also to everyone else who comes through here."

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Mr Witherby is hopeful that the pilot program can start in the next four weeks.

"The messaging from the community, councillors and council staff is that this is a matter that cannot wait any longer," he said.

South Moree resident Carol French spoke of her frustrations with the high number of burnt-out buildings on the south side of town during the public forum at Thursday's council meeting.

"Some of these properties have been able to stand there for 20 years or so," she said.

"Why is it that the south side of Moree is treated differently to other areas of Moree? If there was a half burned-down house over the other side of the river, it wouldn't stay there for long. I wonder why someone hasn't taken a care approach to [the south] side of town?"

Moree mayor Katrina Humphries explained that one of the biggest issues in clearing privately-owned burnt-out houses comes down to insurance.

Many owners of burnt-out houses end up taking their insurance money and walking away from the land, choosing to rebuild somewhere else instead of knocking down the building and starting again. However, that means the dilapidated dwelling can sometimes sit there for years before it is demolished, leaving council with the responsibility to take action.

"Because it's privately owned, we can't go in there and clean it up until we've exhausted every avenue," Cr Humphries explained.

"It's a huge cost to council to keep chasing. But we are chasing it, we are very proactive about it.

"It is an extremely ugly process.

"We are doing everything we can possibly do, but we absolutely have to work within the legislation. There's nothing we'd love more than to go and knock down every one of those houses."

There are currently 40 dilapidated buildings across the Moree Plains Shire, with the majority privately owned, while six belong to government agencies.

Under section 121B of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 council has enforcement powers whereby it can order an owner to demolish a dilapidated building.

However the process is lengthy and costly to taxpayers.

"From issuing the first piece of paper to clearing the land, it's often about six months," Mr Witherby said.

For years, council has been lobbying the state government to make insurance companies hold a percentage of insurance pay-outs for burnt-out houses to cover the costs of demolishing the building, but to no avail.

Council plans to continue to lobby and will raise the issue at the next Country Mayors Association meeting, Local Government NSW Conference and National General Assembly meeting.

Council is also encouraging community members to write to Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, seeking support and encouragement for government agencies to work with council to simplify the process and be responsible for clearing up their own properties.

In the meantime, council does have budget allocations to continue its original plan to clear up burnt-out houses, as resolved in late November last year.

Council is near the end of its tender process for the immediate removal of all burnt-out dwellings within Moree.

In recent weeks, one owner has requested an order to demolish a dilapidated building, which Mr Witherby said was positive.

Council has also partnered with Fire and Rescue NSW, which involves ensuring adequate procedures are undertaken in regard to the fire-event notification chain and post-fire asbestos stabilisation works. This partnership has also resulted in a review of the Fire and Rescue Act 1989 to identify whether the legislation allows for firefighters to demolish houses during/after fires.

The recent appointment of council's new environment and compliance manager - James Maxwell, a NSW licensed asbestos assessor - is also a step in the right direction.