According to the NSW government, there is no risk to the occupants of four apartment buildings in Sydney where serious flaws have been discovered that, if ignored, might eventually cause the buildings to collapse.
For the Lachlan Lines development at 23 Halifax Street in the Macquarie Park neighbourhood of northern Sydney, developer Greenland, founded in China, received a construction work rectification order from the construction Commission NSW on Monday.
The 900 units in the four buildings could collapse, according the order, because of significant flaws in the concrete at basement level brought on by poor construction practices.
But the Building Commission stated in a statement this afternoon that there is no immediate threat from the flaws.
“There is no danger to the residents who live in the apartments at 23 Halifax Street, Macquarie Park from the defects identified which relate to the long-term durability of the basement levels of the building only, not to any units within the complex,” stated a spokeswoman.
Since August 2023, when the initial inspection was carried out, the Building Commission and Greenland Lachlan’s Line Macquarie Park Development Pty Ltd have maintained communication.
“The Building Commission will continue to work with the developer to ensure compliance with the order and is working to rebuild trust and capability in the construction sector.”
The order states that there is “serious damage and spalling of the concrete slab at the joint locations in basements and the ground floor caused by defective workmanship” .
“This is a defect in a building product or building element 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 any part, or the threat of collapse of the building or any part,” it keeps going.
“This problem jeopardises the concrete slab’s structural soundness and performance.
“As a result, it is likely to cause inability of the concrete slab to withstand the carpark and ground floor loads.”
The degradation of reinforced concrete, which includes cracking, is referred to as spalling.
In October, Greenland was initially informed that the Building Commission intended to issue a work order. In a proposal, it requested that the department exercise its discretionary authority and refrain from issuing the order.
“In circumstances where the defect is not disputed, it is my view that it is appropriate to issue the order,” said acting assistant building commissioner Matt Press in response to the refusal.
Greenland successfully argued that the second error in the October notice was not substantial, leading to its removal from the final order.
Press reported the developer would probably have to pay a large amount of money for the repairs covered under the final ruling.
“However, the cost to the developer must be balanced against the benefit to the occupiers to be gained from identifying the specific building work that will eliminate the serious defects,” he stated.
The flaws must be fixed in accordance with the order within eight months.
