Huge apartment complex housing 900 units 'at threat of collapse'
The defects threatening the new Sydney unit complex are a result of 'defective workmanship' a Building Commission NSW report states.
A huge new residential complex that's home to 900 apartments is at risk of collapse after “serious damage” to concrete structures in its basement were detected.
According to documents from the Building Commission NSW, seen by Yahoo News Australia, an urgent work order has been issued to address a number of serious issues at 23 Halifax Street at Lachlan’s Line at Macquarie Park, on Sydney's North Shore.
'Serious defect' detected in Sydney complex
The official work rectification order, written by Matt Press, acting assistant building commissioner, states that "an internal load-bearing component" described as "essential to the stability of the building" has suffered from a "serious defect", in a report to developer Greenland.
"Serious damage and spalling of the concrete slab at the joint locations in basements and the ground floor caused by defective workmanship," Press said in the order when describing the defect.
Defect likely to cause full or partial 'collapse'
"This is a defect... that causes or is likely to cause the basement slab to fail, namely, to fracture and collapse, leading to the destruction of the building... or the threat of collapse.
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"This issue compromises structural performance and structural adequacy of the concrete slab."
Spalling — a term used to describe areas of concrete which have cracked and separated from the substrate — would likely mean the concrete slab would be unable “to withstand the car park and ground floor loads”.
Developer's pleas rejected
Greenland was first given a draft copy of Building Commission's report in October of last year. It responded asking the department to use its discretionary powers to not issue the order, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Press ultimately disagreed, pointing to the seriousness of the defects.
“I have considered all of the circumstances. I accept the order requires specified actions that are likely to be costly," he said. “However, the cost to the developer must be balanced against the benefit to the occupiers,” he said.
On the website, The Macquarie Park apartments are described as luxury living spaces, with one, two and three-bedroom units on offer, with prices starting at around the $1 million mark.
They've been “designed without compromise”, the site says.
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