If such event happens in China, the contractor would be shot.
-
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This would not happen if Ah Tiongs did the job
- Thread starter winnipegjets
- Start date
If such event happens in China, the contractor would be shot.
built with tiong money and materials mostly for tiongs.
Not true lah ...this was built by Aussies (Aussies do not allow foreign contractors to build there).
no matter how good the workmanship is, tiong materials will still crack under pressure.
aiyaa
chink haters will not miss any opportunity to ridicule the chinks
it is cast into their mental state
Well said...
Asbestos at new Perth children's hospital
Perth's new children's hospital
Asbestos in a roofing panel at Perth's new children's hospital has been blamed on a Chinese company. (AAP)
Asbestos in a roofing panel at Perth's new children's hospital has been blamed on a Chinese materials provider to building company John Holland.
Updated
Updated 14/07/2016
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The discovery of asbestos at the $1.2 billion new Perth children's hospital is expected to have implications for major national projects around Australia.
It is the second time in a week that giant Chinese company Yuanda has been caught providing products containing asbestos in Australia, after the lethal material was found in gaskets at a Brisbane office tower.
The asbestos was found by accident when a worker using an angle grinder cut into a panel and a suspicious looking white powder fell out.
More than 20 workers were present and at least 40 have registered concerns they were exposed and want medical tests, given the site was not isolated for 24 hours after the dust was released.
Some workers are anxious about the fact that they went home on Monday in dirty work clothes and exposed their children and partners, said CFMEU state secretary Mick Buchan.
The union has called for an urgent meeting with Yuanda, saying it should discuss all of the projects it has supplied to in Australia.
Yuanda has supplied products for the new Perth Stadium due to be finished next year, the new Fiona Stanley Hospital, the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Adelaide Health and Medical and Research Institute building, which will be scrutinised for asbestos.
Asbestos is banned in Australia and most developed countries because breathing in its fibres causes cancer, but it is still widely used in China.
Head contractor John Holland will now conduct an audit of all imported building materials at the site, but Opposition Health spokesman Roger Cook called for a full independent audit.
John Holland project director Lindsay Albonico insisted the company followed the correct processes in ensuring safety accreditations for its products but was speaking to Yuanda to find out what went wrong in its supply chain.
WA's acting under-treasurer Richard Mann said it was surprising and concerning that products made by a major global manufacturer and accredited in China and Australia, the latter by Aurecon, were found to have asbestos.
"The implications are broader than this project and a really serious issue," he told reporters.
Health Minister John Day said John Holland could have had better tests of its products and the government might need to look at the awarding of the tender nearly five years ago.
"There have certainly been plenty of issues along the way, with the completion of the project taking longer than expected ... it is disappointing," he said.
Source AAP
Buying a new high-rise apartment is a risk best avoided
Opinion By Philip Gall
Updated about 6 hours ago
A sign that says 'no stopping' in the foreground in front of a tall apartment building, Opal Tower.
PHOTO Sydney's Opal Tower was evacuated after a concrete panel cracked. AAP: MICK TSIKAS
I write this piece as one of the lucky apartment owners.
Lucky not because I managed to break into the apartment market, but because I survived it financially intact.
In 2008 I purchased a two-bedroom apartment in a six-level complex near a good rail service not too far from the Sydney CBD. The development had won environmental awards, it shared a site with local council facilities, and was almost six years old. The building inspection report produced no major issues.
What could go wrong?
Within two years we were in full pursuit of a home owner warranty insurance claim to fund about $3 million worth of defect repairs. The external render was falling off, and balconies and bathrooms were leaking into apartments. The builder and developer had evaporated, leaving the insurer as the last resort.
The claim was robustly defended by the insurance company and failure would see apartment owners liable, on average, for around $50,000 each. Fortunately, by late 2014 we had agreed on a settlement. The long, disruptive repairs process was eventually completed in late 2016 and in mid-2017 we sold out.
I can't "name names" because of the settlement. And this is part of the problem.
All too often, legal action against a builder, developer or insurer ends with a settlement which involves a non-disclosure agreement.
These secret settlements prevent new buyers from learning about a dodgy developer's history.
Plus, what apartment owner is going to go public and undermine the value of the building they part own?
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Video 0:37
Residents were evacuated from the Mascot Towers after cracks were spotted in the building
ABC News
Before you buy, do this
The predicament facing Opal Tower and Mascot Towers apartment owners is only the visible tip of a very big iceberg.
So my advice to my kids today, and anyone who'll listen, is this: do not buy a new apartment, especially if it is over three stories high.
Think about older, simpler, three-level walk-up options.
In most states, home warranty insurance cover is no longer required (or even available) for new apartments over three levels.
Alternatives vary by state, but in NSW, there is instead a 2 per cent bond scheme to cover defects identified in the first two years of a new building. There are also statutory warranties provided by the builder for all defects identified in the first two years, and "major" defects found within the first six years.
With no access to the home warranty insurance I had, an apartment owner today faced with the problems I faced in 2008 would have to find the $50,000 to fix the building defects.
The situation facing many others is worse still. In addition to situations like Opal Towers where residents have seen the value of their apartments collapse, flammable cladding rectification is costing some apartment owners closer to $100,000 to repair.
A concrete floor next to a glass sliding door appears significantly cracked.
PHOTO A cracked concrete floor on level 10 of the Opal Tower building. SUPPLIED
My second piece of advice is to inspect the whole building, not just the apartment you're interested in.
Worn carpets, flaky paint, water stains and cracks are tell-tale signs of poor management. Talk to residents, particularly renters who don't have a stake in protecting the value of the building. Expert help is good but choose your help wisely.
Always inspect the strata records very carefully before committing to a purchase contract. If there is more than token resistance to this then walk away.
Those records should include all expert reports prepared for the strata scheme since its inception, including the initial defect inspection reports, all the financial data and the minutes of the required general meetings and strata committee meetings.
Reviewing this with the assistance of an experienced eye can tell you a lot about the building. Spending on preventative maintenance is good. A solid set of provisions on the capital fund to cover future repairs and asset replacements is good too.
How we got here
This mess has been with us now for many years as ever bigger apartment buildings have been pumped out to meet demand in rapidly growing cities. Quantity has trumped quality and the needs of the consumer.
The poor companies are low-cost, low-standard outfits. The good companies have to compete with this and it tends to be a race to the bottom. As one builder told me candidly, "if they buy rubbish, we will build rubbish".
The problem is, the apartment buyer has almost no way of knowing whether or not they are buying from a gold star company or dodgy brothers.
Governments appear to have been looking the other way, too. Review after review has raised issues with the regulation of the industry.
In NSW, the recommendations of the Lambert Review completed in late 2015 have been largely left on the shelf.
It took 12 months, the Opal Tower fiasco and a state election to get action in response to the Shergold and Weir Report prepared for the building ministers nationally.
Despite a set of commitments by the NSW Government to act on this before the March state election, almost 100 days have passed since without any draft legislation coming forward.
And this is far from a problem for NSW only.
A crack is seen in the structure of a building
PHOTO An apartment currently for sale in the building is unlikely to sell as a result of the evacuations. AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
A crisis of confidence will affect us all
Confidence in new apartment offerings has been shattered at the very time that builders and developers are facing a downturn. While I feel for the good companies, and I am sure there are some, the industry's neglect of the end consumer will probably hurt them all.
The failure of apartment living to work is a disaster for the wider community too. How do we meet the housing needs of the future if people shy away from apartment living? What are the economic consequences of a collapse in the demand for new apartments?
Effective public policy initiatives, including effective consumer protection for apartment owners, are economic imperatives.
In the meantime, if you are tempted to buy a new apartment over three levels, don't.
Philip Gall is chair of the Owners Corporation Network.
Posted about 9 hours ago
Opinion By Philip Gall
Updated about 6 hours ago
A sign that says 'no stopping' in the foreground in front of a tall apartment building, Opal Tower.
PHOTO Sydney's Opal Tower was evacuated after a concrete panel cracked. AAP: MICK TSIKAS
I write this piece as one of the lucky apartment owners.
Lucky not because I managed to break into the apartment market, but because I survived it financially intact.
In 2008 I purchased a two-bedroom apartment in a six-level complex near a good rail service not too far from the Sydney CBD. The development had won environmental awards, it shared a site with local council facilities, and was almost six years old. The building inspection report produced no major issues.
What could go wrong?
Within two years we were in full pursuit of a home owner warranty insurance claim to fund about $3 million worth of defect repairs. The external render was falling off, and balconies and bathrooms were leaking into apartments. The builder and developer had evaporated, leaving the insurer as the last resort.
The claim was robustly defended by the insurance company and failure would see apartment owners liable, on average, for around $50,000 each. Fortunately, by late 2014 we had agreed on a settlement. The long, disruptive repairs process was eventually completed in late 2016 and in mid-2017 we sold out.
I can't "name names" because of the settlement. And this is part of the problem.
All too often, legal action against a builder, developer or insurer ends with a settlement which involves a non-disclosure agreement.
These secret settlements prevent new buyers from learning about a dodgy developer's history.
Plus, what apartment owner is going to go public and undermine the value of the building they part own?
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Video 0:37
Residents were evacuated from the Mascot Towers after cracks were spotted in the building
ABC News
Before you buy, do this
The predicament facing Opal Tower and Mascot Towers apartment owners is only the visible tip of a very big iceberg.
So my advice to my kids today, and anyone who'll listen, is this: do not buy a new apartment, especially if it is over three stories high.
Think about older, simpler, three-level walk-up options.
In most states, home warranty insurance cover is no longer required (or even available) for new apartments over three levels.
Alternatives vary by state, but in NSW, there is instead a 2 per cent bond scheme to cover defects identified in the first two years of a new building. There are also statutory warranties provided by the builder for all defects identified in the first two years, and "major" defects found within the first six years.
With no access to the home warranty insurance I had, an apartment owner today faced with the problems I faced in 2008 would have to find the $50,000 to fix the building defects.
The situation facing many others is worse still. In addition to situations like Opal Towers where residents have seen the value of their apartments collapse, flammable cladding rectification is costing some apartment owners closer to $100,000 to repair.
A concrete floor next to a glass sliding door appears significantly cracked.
PHOTO A cracked concrete floor on level 10 of the Opal Tower building. SUPPLIED
My second piece of advice is to inspect the whole building, not just the apartment you're interested in.
Worn carpets, flaky paint, water stains and cracks are tell-tale signs of poor management. Talk to residents, particularly renters who don't have a stake in protecting the value of the building. Expert help is good but choose your help wisely.
Always inspect the strata records very carefully before committing to a purchase contract. If there is more than token resistance to this then walk away.
Those records should include all expert reports prepared for the strata scheme since its inception, including the initial defect inspection reports, all the financial data and the minutes of the required general meetings and strata committee meetings.
Reviewing this with the assistance of an experienced eye can tell you a lot about the building. Spending on preventative maintenance is good. A solid set of provisions on the capital fund to cover future repairs and asset replacements is good too.
How we got here
This mess has been with us now for many years as ever bigger apartment buildings have been pumped out to meet demand in rapidly growing cities. Quantity has trumped quality and the needs of the consumer.
The poor companies are low-cost, low-standard outfits. The good companies have to compete with this and it tends to be a race to the bottom. As one builder told me candidly, "if they buy rubbish, we will build rubbish".
The problem is, the apartment buyer has almost no way of knowing whether or not they are buying from a gold star company or dodgy brothers.
Governments appear to have been looking the other way, too. Review after review has raised issues with the regulation of the industry.
In NSW, the recommendations of the Lambert Review completed in late 2015 have been largely left on the shelf.
It took 12 months, the Opal Tower fiasco and a state election to get action in response to the Shergold and Weir Report prepared for the building ministers nationally.
Despite a set of commitments by the NSW Government to act on this before the March state election, almost 100 days have passed since without any draft legislation coming forward.
And this is far from a problem for NSW only.
A crack is seen in the structure of a building
PHOTO An apartment currently for sale in the building is unlikely to sell as a result of the evacuations. AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
A crisis of confidence will affect us all
Confidence in new apartment offerings has been shattered at the very time that builders and developers are facing a downturn. While I feel for the good companies, and I am sure there are some, the industry's neglect of the end consumer will probably hurt them all.
The failure of apartment living to work is a disaster for the wider community too. How do we meet the housing needs of the future if people shy away from apartment living? What are the economic consequences of a collapse in the demand for new apartments?
Effective public policy initiatives, including effective consumer protection for apartment owners, are economic imperatives.
In the meantime, if you are tempted to buy a new apartment over three levels, don't.
Philip Gall is chair of the Owners Corporation Network.
Posted about 9 hours ago
Mascot Towers residents locked out for fifth day as engineers struggle to find cause of cracks - Business
A man wearing a cap stands next to a wire fence.
PHOTO Fabiano Dos Santos was only able to retrieve his wallet and medication yesterday. ABC NEWS: LIV CASBEN
A "crisis of confidence" has developed in the NSW building industry, the Insurance Council of Australia has said, as residents and owners of the Mascot Towers building in Sydney's south face another day of lockouts.
Six days after the 10-storey high rise was evacuated, it remains partly off limits due to the cracks that appeared in the building's beams on Friday night.
The ABC understands at least one couple that own an apartment in Mascot Towers will have to declare bankruptcy if, as expected, costs associated with the cracks run into the millions.
"There is a crisis of confidence developing," Karl Sullivan from the Insurance Council of Australia said.
"The insurance industry is continuing to express its concern. Certainly for some time now, we've had concerns over all the risk controls that are available in the building industry and how some of those are executed."
That is a sentiment echoed by Federal Industry Minister Karen Andrews, who is calling for consistent certification standards.
"We need to look at consistent processes for determining who is going to be qualified to certify those buildings," she said.
"It's patchy, it's not good enough and it doesn't lead to any confidence whatsoever in the building sector."
Less than six months ago, 3,000 residents of the Opal Tower in Sydney Olympic Park had a snap evacuation after fears arose the whole building would collapse.
Tenants unaware of prior litigation
The ABC has been told engineers still do not know what the root cause of the problem at Mascot Towers is — but possibilities include groundwater and excavation work being done on the block next door.
Engineers are continuing to monitor the apartment block and will report back to residents and owners on Thursday night, a spokesman for Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said.
Litigation by the building's owners' corporation about a building defect identified before Friday night's evacuation had been ongoing for some time, the Minister's spokesman confirmed.
But the Minister said he was very concerned that tenants had no information about that legal action.
For resident Fabiano Dos Santos, there is very little sign of help forthcoming — but he was allowed back home briefly on Tuesday after four days of being without even a wallet.
"I got a couple of minutes — just a couple of minutes to grab my stuff — to get my medicine, my wallet so we can go shopping. So at least things were made a little bit better now," he said.
"It is very frustrating to see the politicians on TV saying they're giving all the support they can and all the residents are being supported — that's not happening."
Tenants are entitled to a waiver or reduction in rent until they can occupy the building under Department of Fair Trading regulations.
If the real estate agent or property owner refuse the request, tenants should notify Fair Trading, and an officer would help them negotiate, the Minister's spokesman said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Government hoped legislation overhauling the building industry would be introduced in the next session of Parliament.
A man in a hat stands in front of a yellow sign stuck on a wall.
PHOTO Fabiano Dos Santos reads a sign put up by angry residents highlighting the lack of support they say they have received. ABC NEWS: LIV CASBEN
A man wearing a cap stands next to a wire fence.
PHOTO Fabiano Dos Santos was only able to retrieve his wallet and medication yesterday. ABC NEWS: LIV CASBEN
A "crisis of confidence" has developed in the NSW building industry, the Insurance Council of Australia has said, as residents and owners of the Mascot Towers building in Sydney's south face another day of lockouts.
Six days after the 10-storey high rise was evacuated, it remains partly off limits due to the cracks that appeared in the building's beams on Friday night.
The ABC understands at least one couple that own an apartment in Mascot Towers will have to declare bankruptcy if, as expected, costs associated with the cracks run into the millions.
"There is a crisis of confidence developing," Karl Sullivan from the Insurance Council of Australia said.
"The insurance industry is continuing to express its concern. Certainly for some time now, we've had concerns over all the risk controls that are available in the building industry and how some of those are executed."
That is a sentiment echoed by Federal Industry Minister Karen Andrews, who is calling for consistent certification standards.
"We need to look at consistent processes for determining who is going to be qualified to certify those buildings," she said.
"It's patchy, it's not good enough and it doesn't lead to any confidence whatsoever in the building sector."
Less than six months ago, 3,000 residents of the Opal Tower in Sydney Olympic Park had a snap evacuation after fears arose the whole building would collapse.
Tenants unaware of prior litigation
The ABC has been told engineers still do not know what the root cause of the problem at Mascot Towers is — but possibilities include groundwater and excavation work being done on the block next door.
Engineers are continuing to monitor the apartment block and will report back to residents and owners on Thursday night, a spokesman for Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said.
Litigation by the building's owners' corporation about a building defect identified before Friday night's evacuation had been ongoing for some time, the Minister's spokesman confirmed.
But the Minister said he was very concerned that tenants had no information about that legal action.
For resident Fabiano Dos Santos, there is very little sign of help forthcoming — but he was allowed back home briefly on Tuesday after four days of being without even a wallet.
"I got a couple of minutes — just a couple of minutes to grab my stuff — to get my medicine, my wallet so we can go shopping. So at least things were made a little bit better now," he said.
"It is very frustrating to see the politicians on TV saying they're giving all the support they can and all the residents are being supported — that's not happening."
Tenants are entitled to a waiver or reduction in rent until they can occupy the building under Department of Fair Trading regulations.
If the real estate agent or property owner refuse the request, tenants should notify Fair Trading, and an officer would help them negotiate, the Minister's spokesman said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Government hoped legislation overhauling the building industry would be introduced in the next session of Parliament.
A man in a hat stands in front of a yellow sign stuck on a wall.
PHOTO Fabiano Dos Santos reads a sign put up by angry residents highlighting the lack of support they say they have received. ABC NEWS: LIV CASBEN
Australia is part of the infamous QUAD set up solely to contain China. Already world famous for being so racists, one can't expect them to be nice to China or Chinese. However it is not always China's fault. Their own building or inspection authorities or government departments are sleeping on their jobs. Simple as that!
Mascot Towers owners asked to foot $1 million repair bill as residents remain homeless
BY BELLINDA KONTOMINAS AND LIV CASBEN
UPDATED 50 MINUTES AGO
Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp
The exterior of a high-rise unit block.
PHOTO Residents of the worst-affected zone may be able to return to collect their belongings on Saturday.
AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
Residents in the beleaguered Mascot Towers face at least another month out of their apartments, as owners are being asked to pay $1 million towards the cost of repairing the 10-storey building.
Key points:
The appearance of cracks prompted the evacuation of the building's 132 units on Friday
Engineers say there are signs the worst-affected part of the building is stabilising
Further assessment will determine if adjoining apartment construction contributed to the cracks
It has been almost a week since residents were evacuated from the 132-apartment complex after cracks appeared in the building.
Some residents have been able to re-enter the building to collect some of their belongings, while others in the worst-affected zone are still waiting.
Owners and tenants expect to receive more information at separate meetings being held tonight.
In their latest update on the building's condition, engineers said they were "cautiously optimistic" that residents in the worst-affected "red zone" would be able to access their apartments next week.
But other residents will be able to access their apartments for 30 minutes to recover their personal belongings as early as Saturday.
But Owners Corporation spokesman Patrick McGuire said it was not yet known when residents could return for good.
"We have no feel for that yet — the engineering assessment is still underway and we expect to have some idea next week," Mr McGuire said.
"What we are advising in terms of the next month is we don't believe any return to their property in terms of living will be possible at all."
A group of people stand outside a building at night.
PHOTO Some residents have been unable to access their apartments since the evacuation.
ABC NEWS: SELBY STEWART
Mr McGuire said residents may be permitted to collect personal items on Saturday if engineers decided it was safe to do so.
Engineers said there were signs the building was stabilising in the areas of most concern, however, instability was still evident in other parts of the apartment complex.
In a statement, the Owners Corporation said an owners' meeting tonight would be asked to approve a $1 million special levy contingency fund "to meet the cost of initial engineering advice and building stability costs".
"No advice on rectification costs, insurance provisions, liability or related issues can be given until the engineering assessment progresses," the statement said.
It also said the builder/developer of the complex was no longer trading after being placed into administration several years ago.
'Looking for answers'
Outside tonight's owners' meeting at the Holiday Inn at Mascot, owners were forced to queue as organisers checked their identification to ensure only those on the strata roll and their support person were able to allowed inside.
Media were not permitted to attend.
Those gathered outside expressed frustration at what they described as a lack of information from building management.
A man carrying a plastic bag full of clothing stands outside a building.
PHOTO Steve McIlwraith wants to know when he can return home.
ABC NEWS: LIV CASBEN
Steve McIlwrath owns a unit in the red zone and has been unable to access his apartment since the initial evacuation.
"I'm a little distressed, it's the fear of the unknown," he said.
"We're coping and surviving but we just want more information and [want to know] when can we get back in," he said.
He and his family, including a six-month-old baby, were given just 20 minutes before they had to evacuate on Friday night, despite issues with the building being known for some time.
"They could have put us on notice to say, 'Hey, heads up, this is about to go down, we're going to do a further assessment in an hour [so] grab your stuff'. I would have been OK with that," Mr McIlwraith said.
Another owner said he was "angry and just looking for answers".
He said he did not agree with the sum owners were expected to pay for assessment and repair work.
"Like all the other residents, we want to know where every cent of that million dollars [is going] because that quote is just not right," he said.
About 100 people attended the tenants' meeting at the Stanford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel, including legal representatives and members of the NSW Department of Fair Trading.
Patrick McGuire, representing the Owners Corporation, said many tenants were frustrated that the engineering report was not complete and that they were only being given 30 minutes to collect their belongings.
He said would take that message back to the experts to see if anything could be done.
Mr McGuire also said tenants were told to seek legal advice about breaking their leases and that some were reporting that owners had already refunded their bonds in full.
POSTED ABOUT 6 HOURS AGO
SHAREEmail Facebook Twitter WhatsApp
RELATED
'Breach of trust': Residents of troubled Mascot tower condemn restricted access to meeting
NSW building industry facing 'crisis of confidence' after second apartment block evacuation
'There's nobody for them to sue': Mascot apartment owners to pay for repairs
Top Stories
BY BELLINDA KONTOMINAS AND LIV CASBEN
UPDATED 50 MINUTES AGO
Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp
The exterior of a high-rise unit block.
PHOTO Residents of the worst-affected zone may be able to return to collect their belongings on Saturday.
AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
Residents in the beleaguered Mascot Towers face at least another month out of their apartments, as owners are being asked to pay $1 million towards the cost of repairing the 10-storey building.
Key points:
The appearance of cracks prompted the evacuation of the building's 132 units on Friday
Engineers say there are signs the worst-affected part of the building is stabilising
Further assessment will determine if adjoining apartment construction contributed to the cracks
It has been almost a week since residents were evacuated from the 132-apartment complex after cracks appeared in the building.
Some residents have been able to re-enter the building to collect some of their belongings, while others in the worst-affected zone are still waiting.
Owners and tenants expect to receive more information at separate meetings being held tonight.
In their latest update on the building's condition, engineers said they were "cautiously optimistic" that residents in the worst-affected "red zone" would be able to access their apartments next week.
But other residents will be able to access their apartments for 30 minutes to recover their personal belongings as early as Saturday.
But Owners Corporation spokesman Patrick McGuire said it was not yet known when residents could return for good.
"We have no feel for that yet — the engineering assessment is still underway and we expect to have some idea next week," Mr McGuire said.
"What we are advising in terms of the next month is we don't believe any return to their property in terms of living will be possible at all."
A group of people stand outside a building at night.
PHOTO Some residents have been unable to access their apartments since the evacuation.
ABC NEWS: SELBY STEWART
Mr McGuire said residents may be permitted to collect personal items on Saturday if engineers decided it was safe to do so.
Engineers said there were signs the building was stabilising in the areas of most concern, however, instability was still evident in other parts of the apartment complex.
In a statement, the Owners Corporation said an owners' meeting tonight would be asked to approve a $1 million special levy contingency fund "to meet the cost of initial engineering advice and building stability costs".
"No advice on rectification costs, insurance provisions, liability or related issues can be given until the engineering assessment progresses," the statement said.
It also said the builder/developer of the complex was no longer trading after being placed into administration several years ago.
'Looking for answers'
Outside tonight's owners' meeting at the Holiday Inn at Mascot, owners were forced to queue as organisers checked their identification to ensure only those on the strata roll and their support person were able to allowed inside.
Media were not permitted to attend.
Those gathered outside expressed frustration at what they described as a lack of information from building management.
A man carrying a plastic bag full of clothing stands outside a building.
PHOTO Steve McIlwraith wants to know when he can return home.
ABC NEWS: LIV CASBEN
Steve McIlwrath owns a unit in the red zone and has been unable to access his apartment since the initial evacuation.
"I'm a little distressed, it's the fear of the unknown," he said.
"We're coping and surviving but we just want more information and [want to know] when can we get back in," he said.
He and his family, including a six-month-old baby, were given just 20 minutes before they had to evacuate on Friday night, despite issues with the building being known for some time.
"They could have put us on notice to say, 'Hey, heads up, this is about to go down, we're going to do a further assessment in an hour [so] grab your stuff'. I would have been OK with that," Mr McIlwraith said.
Another owner said he was "angry and just looking for answers".
He said he did not agree with the sum owners were expected to pay for assessment and repair work.
"Like all the other residents, we want to know where every cent of that million dollars [is going] because that quote is just not right," he said.
About 100 people attended the tenants' meeting at the Stanford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel, including legal representatives and members of the NSW Department of Fair Trading.
Patrick McGuire, representing the Owners Corporation, said many tenants were frustrated that the engineering report was not complete and that they were only being given 30 minutes to collect their belongings.
He said would take that message back to the experts to see if anything could be done.
Mr McGuire also said tenants were told to seek legal advice about breaking their leases and that some were reporting that owners had already refunded their bonds in full.
POSTED ABOUT 6 HOURS AGO
SHAREEmail Facebook Twitter WhatsApp
RELATED
'Breach of trust': Residents of troubled Mascot tower condemn restricted access to meeting
NSW building industry facing 'crisis of confidence' after second apartment block evacuation
'There's nobody for them to sue': Mascot apartment owners to pay for repairs
Top Stories
People want cheap and usable, no need to last forever ...Tiongs meet that need.
If Tiongs did this project, the price would not be that high and a crack here or there, the Tiongs will fix it with no cost.
Mascot Towers residents angry over restricted access to strata meeting amid cracks in building - Business
The exterior of a high-rise unit block.
PHOTO Owners have been told only those on the strata roll will be let into tonight's meeting. AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
Residents evacuated from a Sydney apartment complex are angry over what they say is an attempt to block them from bringing supporters and legal representatives to tonight's owners' meeting.
One Mascot Towers apartment owner, who did not want to be identified, said she asked a colleague who is a lawyer to accompany her to the meeting, only to find out he was not welcome.
On Tuesday, she received an email from building management, who wrote that the meeting was "intended for owners in Mascot Towers and a strict identification registration process will be enforced".
"Only owners recorded on the strata roll will be permitted to enter and participate in the meeting's proceedings."
Residents of the 10-storey high-rise were forced to evacuate the towers at short notice on Friday night after cracks were found in the building's beams.
They were later advised by building management to contact the Salvation Army if they were experiencing financial difficulty as a result of being displaced.
Two women stand outside one is holding a cat
PHOTO Many residents of the building are from culturally diverse backgrounds and may require translators. AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
The latest email from building management comes at a time of heightened stress for residents.
The woman said people were already under severe stress and should be allowed to bring all the support they needed.
"I have never been to a strata meeting and I have got no idea [what to expect] and I think a lot of people will be in that position," she said.
"It's hard enough for me and English is my first language.
"There is going to be information that a lot of people are not familiar with and to have that in a second language would be almost impossible to understand."
A group of people stand outside a building at night.
PHOTO Residents evacuated the complex at short notice on Friday night. ABC NEWS: SELBY STEWART
The owners' meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn at Mascot at 7:00pm tonight.
A separate meeting for tenants will be held at the same time at the nearby Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport hotel.
Process 'lacking transparency'
Stephen Goddard, spokesperson for the Owners Corporation Network — an owners' advocacy group — described the email outlining restrictions on attendance as surprising.
"I consider that to be very foolish and lacking in transparency and disrespectful of members in the scheme," he said.
A man wearing a suit and tie smiles.
PHOTO Stephen Goddard says restricting attendance is "disrespectful" to owners. SUPPLIED
Mr Goddard said only owners could participate and vote at the meeting, but there was nothing in the strata legislation restricting others from attending.
"I understand the strata committee might be fearful of media penetration and troublemakers, but to deny people assistance and appear to be not transparent is a further breach of trust the building cannot afford," he said.
"The committee is leaving itself open to the allegation of … steamrolling owners into decisions they do not understand."
He said many of the owners came from linguistically diverse backgrounds and may require translators.
"To suggest you can't have a support person present is to leave people believing they are not being listened to," Mr Goddard said.
A spokesman for Strata Management company Strata Choice, Patrick McGuire, denied trying to restrict entry to the meeting.
"Owners' meetings are normally restricted to owners or their proxy.
"We have issued no directive to restrict support, mainly to assist owners who may need language assistance," Mr McGuire said.
The exterior of a high-rise unit block.
PHOTO Owners have been told only those on the strata roll will be let into tonight's meeting. AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
Residents evacuated from a Sydney apartment complex are angry over what they say is an attempt to block them from bringing supporters and legal representatives to tonight's owners' meeting.
One Mascot Towers apartment owner, who did not want to be identified, said she asked a colleague who is a lawyer to accompany her to the meeting, only to find out he was not welcome.
On Tuesday, she received an email from building management, who wrote that the meeting was "intended for owners in Mascot Towers and a strict identification registration process will be enforced".
"Only owners recorded on the strata roll will be permitted to enter and participate in the meeting's proceedings."
Residents of the 10-storey high-rise were forced to evacuate the towers at short notice on Friday night after cracks were found in the building's beams.
They were later advised by building management to contact the Salvation Army if they were experiencing financial difficulty as a result of being displaced.
Two women stand outside one is holding a cat
PHOTO Many residents of the building are from culturally diverse backgrounds and may require translators. AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
The latest email from building management comes at a time of heightened stress for residents.
The woman said people were already under severe stress and should be allowed to bring all the support they needed.
"I have never been to a strata meeting and I have got no idea [what to expect] and I think a lot of people will be in that position," she said.
"It's hard enough for me and English is my first language.
"There is going to be information that a lot of people are not familiar with and to have that in a second language would be almost impossible to understand."
A group of people stand outside a building at night.
PHOTO Residents evacuated the complex at short notice on Friday night. ABC NEWS: SELBY STEWART
The owners' meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn at Mascot at 7:00pm tonight.
A separate meeting for tenants will be held at the same time at the nearby Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport hotel.
Process 'lacking transparency'
Stephen Goddard, spokesperson for the Owners Corporation Network — an owners' advocacy group — described the email outlining restrictions on attendance as surprising.
"I consider that to be very foolish and lacking in transparency and disrespectful of members in the scheme," he said.
A man wearing a suit and tie smiles.
PHOTO Stephen Goddard says restricting attendance is "disrespectful" to owners. SUPPLIED
Mr Goddard said only owners could participate and vote at the meeting, but there was nothing in the strata legislation restricting others from attending.
"I understand the strata committee might be fearful of media penetration and troublemakers, but to deny people assistance and appear to be not transparent is a further breach of trust the building cannot afford," he said.
"The committee is leaving itself open to the allegation of … steamrolling owners into decisions they do not understand."
He said many of the owners came from linguistically diverse backgrounds and may require translators.
"To suggest you can't have a support person present is to leave people believing they are not being listened to," Mr Goddard said.
A spokesman for Strata Management company Strata Choice, Patrick McGuire, denied trying to restrict entry to the meeting.
"Owners' meetings are normally restricted to owners or their proxy.
"We have issued no directive to restrict support, mainly to assist owners who may need language assistance," Mr McGuire said.
Mascot Towers owners agree to foot $1 million repair bill as residents remain homeless - Business
The exterior of a high-rise unit block.
PHOTO Residents of the worst-affected zone may be able to return to collect their belongings on Saturday. AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
Residents in the beleaguered Mascot Towers face at least another month out of their apartments, as owners agree to pay a $1 million levy towards the cost of repairing the 10-storey building.
It has been almost a week since residents were evacuated from the 132-apartment complex after cracks appeared in the building.
Some residents have been able to re-enter the building to collect some of their belongings, while others in the worst-affected zone are still waiting.
Owners and tenants expressed their frustrations during separate meetings on Thursday night.
At the owners' meeting which lasted about three hours, 94 per cent of eligible voters supported the levy following a "fairly detailed and lengthy discussion," Mr McGuire said.
But real estate agent John Higgins, who sold many of the apartments off the plan, labelled the meeting as "disappointing" and said owners should expect to pay much more than the $1 million figure they just voted on.
"The $1 million honestly is just to start us off," he said.
"I think that's just to kick the football around and find out where we stand."
A crowd queues in a foyer.
PHOTO Owners had to provide proof they were on the strata roll before entering the meeting. ABC NEWS
He said a clear timeline should have been established in which the building would be assessed and deemed safe.
Instead, residents were faced with the "daunting" prospect of not knowing how long until the building could occupied.
Mr Higgins also criticised Premier Gladys Berejiklian for not attending.
"I think for a matter of this size it's so important that she should be there."
About 100 people attended the tenants' meeting at the Stanford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel, including legal representatives and members of the NSW Department of Fair Trading.
Patrick McGuire, representing the Owners Corporation, said many tenants were frustrated that the engineering report was not complete and that they were only being given 30 minutes to collect their belongings.
He said would take that message back to the experts to see if anything could be done.
Mr McGuire also said tenants were told to seek legal advice about breaking their leases and that some were reporting that owners had already refunded their bonds in full.
Signs of building 'stabilising'
In their latest update on the building's condition, engineers said they were "cautiously optimistic" that residents in the worst-affected "red zone" would be able to access their apartments next week.
Support beams in carpark
PHOTO Support beams were installed last week in the Mascot Towers carpark. ABC NEWS: NICOLE CHETTLE
But other residents will be able to access their apartments for 30 minutes to recover their personal belongings as early as Saturday.
But Owners Corporation spokesman Patrick McGuire said it was not yet known when residents could return for good.
"We have no feel for that yet — the engineering assessment is still underway and we expect to have some idea next week," Mr McGuire said.
"What we are advising in terms of the next month is we don't believe any return to their property in terms of living will be possible at all."
Mr McGuire said residents may be permitted to collect personal items on Saturday if engineers decided it was safe to do so.
Engineers said there were signs the building was stabilising in the areas of most concern, however, instability was still evident in other parts of the apartment complex.
In a statement, the Owners Corporation said an owners' meeting tonight would be asked to approve a $1 million special levy contingency fund "to meet the cost of initial engineering advice and building stability costs".
A group of people stand outside a building at night.
PHOTO Some residents have been unable to access their apartments since the evacuation. ABC NEWS: SELBY STEWART
"No advice on rectification costs, insurance provisions, liability or related issues can be given until the engineering assessment progresses," the statement said.
It also said the builder/developer of the complex was no longer trading after being placed into administration several years ago.
'Looking for answers'
Ahead of the owners' meeting attendees were forced to queue as organisers checked their identification to ensure only those on the strata roll and their support person were able to allowed inside.
Media were not permitted to attend.
Those gathered outside expressed anger at what they described as a lack of information from building management.
A man carrying a plastic bag full of clothing stands outside a building.
PHOTO Steve McIlwraith wants to know when he can return home. ABC NEWS: LIV CASBEN
Steve McIlwrath owns a unit in the red zone and has been unable to access his apartment since the initial evacuation.
"I'm a little distressed, it's the fear of the unknown," he said.
"We're coping and surviving but we just want more information and [want to know] when can we get back in," he said.
He and his family, including a six-month-old baby, were given just 20 minutes before they had to evacuate on Friday night, despite issues with the building being known for some time.
"They could have put us on notice to say, 'Hey, heads up, this is about to go down, we're going to do a further assessment in an hour [so] grab your stuff'. I would have been OK with that," Mr McIlwraith said.
Another owner said he was "angry and just looking for answers".
He said he did not agree with the sum owners were expected to pay for assessment and repair work.
"Like all the other residents, we want to know where every cent of that million dollars [is going] because that quote is just not right," he said.
Posted yesterday at 3:27pm
The exterior of a high-rise unit block.
PHOTO Residents of the worst-affected zone may be able to return to collect their belongings on Saturday. AAP: BIANCA DE MARCHI
Residents in the beleaguered Mascot Towers face at least another month out of their apartments, as owners agree to pay a $1 million levy towards the cost of repairing the 10-storey building.
It has been almost a week since residents were evacuated from the 132-apartment complex after cracks appeared in the building.
Some residents have been able to re-enter the building to collect some of their belongings, while others in the worst-affected zone are still waiting.
Owners and tenants expressed their frustrations during separate meetings on Thursday night.
At the owners' meeting which lasted about three hours, 94 per cent of eligible voters supported the levy following a "fairly detailed and lengthy discussion," Mr McGuire said.
But real estate agent John Higgins, who sold many of the apartments off the plan, labelled the meeting as "disappointing" and said owners should expect to pay much more than the $1 million figure they just voted on.
"The $1 million honestly is just to start us off," he said.
"I think that's just to kick the football around and find out where we stand."
A crowd queues in a foyer.
PHOTO Owners had to provide proof they were on the strata roll before entering the meeting. ABC NEWS
He said a clear timeline should have been established in which the building would be assessed and deemed safe.
Instead, residents were faced with the "daunting" prospect of not knowing how long until the building could occupied.
Mr Higgins also criticised Premier Gladys Berejiklian for not attending.
"I think for a matter of this size it's so important that she should be there."
About 100 people attended the tenants' meeting at the Stanford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel, including legal representatives and members of the NSW Department of Fair Trading.
Patrick McGuire, representing the Owners Corporation, said many tenants were frustrated that the engineering report was not complete and that they were only being given 30 minutes to collect their belongings.
He said would take that message back to the experts to see if anything could be done.
Mr McGuire also said tenants were told to seek legal advice about breaking their leases and that some were reporting that owners had already refunded their bonds in full.
Signs of building 'stabilising'
In their latest update on the building's condition, engineers said they were "cautiously optimistic" that residents in the worst-affected "red zone" would be able to access their apartments next week.
Support beams in carpark
PHOTO Support beams were installed last week in the Mascot Towers carpark. ABC NEWS: NICOLE CHETTLE
But other residents will be able to access their apartments for 30 minutes to recover their personal belongings as early as Saturday.
But Owners Corporation spokesman Patrick McGuire said it was not yet known when residents could return for good.
"We have no feel for that yet — the engineering assessment is still underway and we expect to have some idea next week," Mr McGuire said.
"What we are advising in terms of the next month is we don't believe any return to their property in terms of living will be possible at all."
Mr McGuire said residents may be permitted to collect personal items on Saturday if engineers decided it was safe to do so.
Engineers said there were signs the building was stabilising in the areas of most concern, however, instability was still evident in other parts of the apartment complex.
In a statement, the Owners Corporation said an owners' meeting tonight would be asked to approve a $1 million special levy contingency fund "to meet the cost of initial engineering advice and building stability costs".
A group of people stand outside a building at night.
PHOTO Some residents have been unable to access their apartments since the evacuation. ABC NEWS: SELBY STEWART
"No advice on rectification costs, insurance provisions, liability or related issues can be given until the engineering assessment progresses," the statement said.
It also said the builder/developer of the complex was no longer trading after being placed into administration several years ago.
'Looking for answers'
Ahead of the owners' meeting attendees were forced to queue as organisers checked their identification to ensure only those on the strata roll and their support person were able to allowed inside.
Media were not permitted to attend.
Those gathered outside expressed anger at what they described as a lack of information from building management.
A man carrying a plastic bag full of clothing stands outside a building.
PHOTO Steve McIlwraith wants to know when he can return home. ABC NEWS: LIV CASBEN
Steve McIlwrath owns a unit in the red zone and has been unable to access his apartment since the initial evacuation.
"I'm a little distressed, it's the fear of the unknown," he said.
"We're coping and surviving but we just want more information and [want to know] when can we get back in," he said.
He and his family, including a six-month-old baby, were given just 20 minutes before they had to evacuate on Friday night, despite issues with the building being known for some time.
"They could have put us on notice to say, 'Hey, heads up, this is about to go down, we're going to do a further assessment in an hour [so] grab your stuff'. I would have been OK with that," Mr McIlwraith said.
Another owner said he was "angry and just looking for answers".
He said he did not agree with the sum owners were expected to pay for assessment and repair work.
"Like all the other residents, we want to know where every cent of that million dollars [is going] because that quote is just not right," he said.
Posted yesterday at 3:27pm
Must be a south east asian chinese developer.
Ah Neh builders the best
Apartment owners worried they are living in structurally unsound buildings
Cracks in a Canberra apartment complex
Video 6:59
Apartment owners around Australia are worried they are living in structurally unsound buildings.
View transcript7.30
The quality of new apartment buildings has been in the spotlight since residents of Mascot Towers in Sydney were forced to evacuate more than a week ago.
It follows on from the emergency evacuation of the 3,000 residents of Opal Towers late last year after beams collapsed.
But the safety of new apartment buildings is not just an issue confined to Sydney.
7.30 has spoken to owners around Australia who are worried they are living in structurally unsound buildings, with little choice but to pay for the defects themselves.
John Grant purchased an off-the-plan investment property in Canberra for $640,000 in 2011. But soon afterwards cracks began to spread throughout the apartment car park.
John Grant standing next to a crack in a wall of his apartment complex in Canberra
PHOTO John Grant says the cost of rectification was about $75,000 for each apartment owner. ABC NEWS: JERRY RICKARD
Concerns about the structural integrity of the building meant the foundations had to be reinforced with 45 props.
Mr Grant said they had been advised the defects could be fixed, but the repair bill was estimated at a staggering $9 million. If the owners end up having to pay for the rectification themselves it could cost each apartment owner an average of $75,000.
"There's no-one who protects future apartment owners during the construction," he told 7.30.
A car park with yellow metal poles running from the floor to the ceiling.
PHOTO Props are being used to reinforce this Canberra apartment building. ABC NEWS
The owners have already had to spend $650,000 on expert reports and legal fees. They are suing the builder, developer and the engineer, and Mr Grant is calling for the ACT Government to issue a rectification order to force the builders to pay for the defects.
"When there is a problem, those responsible deny it, and they deny it vociferously, and it means that you have to go through lengthy and expensive processes to actually get a result," Mr Grant said.
"Even then nothing's guaranteed, and that's a real concern with all of us owners."
'Grossly unfair for the people having to pay'
Dr Nicole Johnston wears a black coat.
PHOTO Dr Nicole Johnston has released a report into building safety. ABC NEWS: JERRY RICKARD
Nicole Johnston from Deakin University has just released a report into building safety. She says that would-be owners often have no way of knowing if there are structural problems with their apartments.
"Sometimes it doesn't matter how much due diligence you do, you won't know that these defects are coming," she said.
Her report found poor waterproofing, unsafe cladding and fire risks were the most common problems.
"The costs involved in going through those rectification works is so much more than it would have been if the job was done right in the first place," Dr Johnston said.
"So the costs in relation to rectify the fix is exorbitant, and it's grossly unfair for the people having to pay."
Federal Industry Minister Karen Andrews told 7.30 in a statement that states and territory governments were responsible for implementing building codes.
"I believe there is a crisis of confidence in the building sector that needs to be addressed," she said.
The Property Council of Australia's chief executive, Ken Morrison, argued that Australia had some of the best building standards in the world.
"Purchasers should take heart from the fact that most issues are relatively minor," he said.
"The sorts of incidents we've seen in the media in recent months are quite rare."
He said while regulations in the various states and territories differ, there was recourse when owners found their apartment had faults.
"If there are defects, then by law builders have to come back and fix those defects at their costs, and that system has been working well," he said.
'Stuck with a property that is virtually worthless'
Andy White wears a beige jacket
PHOTO Andy White's Melbourne apartment building was found to be covered in flammable cladding. ABC NEWS: GUS GOSWELL
Melbourne apartment owner Andy White said the system had not been working for him.
Following a fire in one of the apartments in his complex, it was discovered the building was covered in flammable cladding. But the builders went into voluntary liquidation in August 2018, meaning the owners will now have to cover the estimated $2-3 million rectification costs.
He said the apartment he bought for $320,000 was worth much less today.
"It's a huge financial strain for most people, it's taking a lot of toll on people's mental health, to say the least," he said.
"A lot of people are feeling frustrated and hopeless that they're now stuck with a property that is virtually worthless at this point of time."
He said it was too easy for builders to liquidate their companies if they found themselves liable for building defects.
"I just really want the Government to step up and sort out the legislation so that the people responsible for this situation are made to rectify it," he said.
"By law at the moment we have more consumer protection buying a toaster or a television than we do an apartment."
A spokesperson for Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the Victorian Building Authority was working closely with the affected residents.
"Our dedicated cladding taskforce is expected to finalise their final report in the coming weeks and will have more to say when we have assessed its recommendations," the spokesperson said.
Cracks in a Canberra apartment complex
Video 6:59
Apartment owners around Australia are worried they are living in structurally unsound buildings.
View transcript7.30
The quality of new apartment buildings has been in the spotlight since residents of Mascot Towers in Sydney were forced to evacuate more than a week ago.
It follows on from the emergency evacuation of the 3,000 residents of Opal Towers late last year after beams collapsed.
But the safety of new apartment buildings is not just an issue confined to Sydney.
7.30 has spoken to owners around Australia who are worried they are living in structurally unsound buildings, with little choice but to pay for the defects themselves.
John Grant purchased an off-the-plan investment property in Canberra for $640,000 in 2011. But soon afterwards cracks began to spread throughout the apartment car park.
John Grant standing next to a crack in a wall of his apartment complex in Canberra
PHOTO John Grant says the cost of rectification was about $75,000 for each apartment owner. ABC NEWS: JERRY RICKARD
Concerns about the structural integrity of the building meant the foundations had to be reinforced with 45 props.
Mr Grant said they had been advised the defects could be fixed, but the repair bill was estimated at a staggering $9 million. If the owners end up having to pay for the rectification themselves it could cost each apartment owner an average of $75,000.
"There's no-one who protects future apartment owners during the construction," he told 7.30.
A car park with yellow metal poles running from the floor to the ceiling.
PHOTO Props are being used to reinforce this Canberra apartment building. ABC NEWS
The owners have already had to spend $650,000 on expert reports and legal fees. They are suing the builder, developer and the engineer, and Mr Grant is calling for the ACT Government to issue a rectification order to force the builders to pay for the defects.
"When there is a problem, those responsible deny it, and they deny it vociferously, and it means that you have to go through lengthy and expensive processes to actually get a result," Mr Grant said.
"Even then nothing's guaranteed, and that's a real concern with all of us owners."
'Grossly unfair for the people having to pay'
Dr Nicole Johnston wears a black coat.
PHOTO Dr Nicole Johnston has released a report into building safety. ABC NEWS: JERRY RICKARD
Nicole Johnston from Deakin University has just released a report into building safety. She says that would-be owners often have no way of knowing if there are structural problems with their apartments.
"Sometimes it doesn't matter how much due diligence you do, you won't know that these defects are coming," she said.
Her report found poor waterproofing, unsafe cladding and fire risks were the most common problems.
"The costs involved in going through those rectification works is so much more than it would have been if the job was done right in the first place," Dr Johnston said.
"So the costs in relation to rectify the fix is exorbitant, and it's grossly unfair for the people having to pay."
Federal Industry Minister Karen Andrews told 7.30 in a statement that states and territory governments were responsible for implementing building codes.
"I believe there is a crisis of confidence in the building sector that needs to be addressed," she said.
The Property Council of Australia's chief executive, Ken Morrison, argued that Australia had some of the best building standards in the world.
"Purchasers should take heart from the fact that most issues are relatively minor," he said.
"The sorts of incidents we've seen in the media in recent months are quite rare."
He said while regulations in the various states and territories differ, there was recourse when owners found their apartment had faults.
"If there are defects, then by law builders have to come back and fix those defects at their costs, and that system has been working well," he said.
'Stuck with a property that is virtually worthless'
Andy White wears a beige jacket
PHOTO Andy White's Melbourne apartment building was found to be covered in flammable cladding. ABC NEWS: GUS GOSWELL
Melbourne apartment owner Andy White said the system had not been working for him.
Following a fire in one of the apartments in his complex, it was discovered the building was covered in flammable cladding. But the builders went into voluntary liquidation in August 2018, meaning the owners will now have to cover the estimated $2-3 million rectification costs.
He said the apartment he bought for $320,000 was worth much less today.
"It's a huge financial strain for most people, it's taking a lot of toll on people's mental health, to say the least," he said.
"A lot of people are feeling frustrated and hopeless that they're now stuck with a property that is virtually worthless at this point of time."
He said it was too easy for builders to liquidate their companies if they found themselves liable for building defects.
"I just really want the Government to step up and sort out the legislation so that the people responsible for this situation are made to rectify it," he said.
"By law at the moment we have more consumer protection buying a toaster or a television than we do an apartment."
A spokesperson for Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the Victorian Building Authority was working closely with the affected residents.
"Our dedicated cladding taskforce is expected to finalise their final report in the coming weeks and will have more to say when we have assessed its recommendations," the spokesperson said.
Mascot Towers repair bill to hit $53 million prompting owners to consider selling
By Amy Greenbank
Updated about 2 hours ago
PHOTO: The Mascot Towers repair bill is significantly higher than initial estimates. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)
RELATED STORY: 'Urgent risk assessment' at Mascot Towers after new cracks discovered
RELATED STORY: Mascot Towers unit owner cries as he reveals his daughter's heartbreaking question
RELATED STORY: Apartment owners say Mascot Towers is on unstable ground due to 'loss of soil'
Ongoing problems with the troubled Mascot Towers apartment building could see the repair bill blow out to more than $50 million, leaked emails reveal.
Key points:
Mascot Towers, in Sydney's south, has been plagued by structural issues and cracking since the complex was evacuated almost a year ago.
Now, owners are considering selling the beleaguered development.
Residents were evacuated when significant cracks were discovered in the building's primary support structure last June, and are still yet to return.
Initial estimates put the repairs at $7 million, which would be funded by a special strata levy.
But the price tag subsequently blew out to $15 million, then $25 million, before this week's estimate of $32 million for rectification works.
A further $21.5 million in interest on a 15-year loan would bring the final bill to $53.5 million.
That is around $10 million more than previous estimates, and equates to an average of about $400,000 for each owner of the 132 units.
Treacy Sheehan owns a three-bedroom penthouse in the complex and expects to pay an additional $5,000 a month towards the repairs.
"That's on top of strata fees, mortgages, utilities — we'll all go bankrupt at this rate," she said.
PHOTO: Cracks in the building's facade have contributed to an increase in the cost of repairs. (ABC News)
A confidential email, obtained by the ABC, was sent to the building's owners last night by the Strata Committee.
It provides a breakdown of the new costs and concedes they are significantly higher than initial estimates.
In the email the Strata Committee blamed recent problems with the building's facade for the increase.
"As an indication of how the costs have continued to mount, a total of $3,880,000 has been allocated for the facade repair," the email said.
Apartment owner Brian Tucker, who is on the Strata Committee, said owners would be asked to consider a collective sale.
He conceded Mascot Towers would likely only sell for its land value.
"But what do we do?" he said.
"Do we try to get rid of it but go into debt for the rest of our lives … or keep throwing money into it but find more and more faults?"
The NSW Government is covering rent for displaced owners and residents as rectification works continue and has launched an inquiry into building standards after a series of faults emerged in buildings across Sydney.
But owners of Mascot Towers apartments want immediate help, and have been warned to brace for more bad news.
"There is no guarantee that further issues will not be identified in other areas of the building and we can only address them as they arise," the Strata Committee email read.
The problems at Mascot Towers followed similar issues with the Opal Tower at Sydney Olympic Park, which had to be evacuated on Christmas Eve in 2018 after several major cracks were found.
Topics: mascot-2020, sydney-2000
First posted about 3 hours ago
By Amy Greenbank
Updated about 2 hours ago
PHOTO: The Mascot Towers repair bill is significantly higher than initial estimates. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)RELATED STORY: 'Urgent risk assessment' at Mascot Towers after new cracks discovered
RELATED STORY: Mascot Towers unit owner cries as he reveals his daughter's heartbreaking question
RELATED STORY: Apartment owners say Mascot Towers is on unstable ground due to 'loss of soil'
Ongoing problems with the troubled Mascot Towers apartment building could see the repair bill blow out to more than $50 million, leaked emails reveal.
Key points:
- Initial estimates put the repair bill at $7 million but that's blown out to $32 million plus
- An extra $21.5 million in interest on a 15-year loan will bring the final bill to $53.5 million
- One apartment owner says the developer has gone into liquidation and can't be held responsible for the bill
Mascot Towers, in Sydney's south, has been plagued by structural issues and cracking since the complex was evacuated almost a year ago.
Now, owners are considering selling the beleaguered development.
Residents were evacuated when significant cracks were discovered in the building's primary support structure last June, and are still yet to return.
Initial estimates put the repairs at $7 million, which would be funded by a special strata levy.
But the price tag subsequently blew out to $15 million, then $25 million, before this week's estimate of $32 million for rectification works.
A further $21.5 million in interest on a 15-year loan would bring the final bill to $53.5 million.
That is around $10 million more than previous estimates, and equates to an average of about $400,000 for each owner of the 132 units.
Treacy Sheehan owns a three-bedroom penthouse in the complex and expects to pay an additional $5,000 a month towards the repairs.
"That's on top of strata fees, mortgages, utilities — we'll all go bankrupt at this rate," she said.
PHOTO: Cracks in the building's facade have contributed to an increase in the cost of repairs. (ABC News)A confidential email, obtained by the ABC, was sent to the building's owners last night by the Strata Committee.
It provides a breakdown of the new costs and concedes they are significantly higher than initial estimates.
In the email the Strata Committee blamed recent problems with the building's facade for the increase.
"As an indication of how the costs have continued to mount, a total of $3,880,000 has been allocated for the facade repair," the email said.
Apartment owner Brian Tucker, who is on the Strata Committee, said owners would be asked to consider a collective sale.
He conceded Mascot Towers would likely only sell for its land value.
"But what do we do?" he said.
"Do we try to get rid of it but go into debt for the rest of our lives … or keep throwing money into it but find more and more faults?"
Mr Tucker said the building's developer had gone into liquidation and was unable to be held responsible.
The NSW Government is covering rent for displaced owners and residents as rectification works continue and has launched an inquiry into building standards after a series of faults emerged in buildings across Sydney.
But owners of Mascot Towers apartments want immediate help, and have been warned to brace for more bad news.
"There is no guarantee that further issues will not be identified in other areas of the building and we can only address them as they arise," the Strata Committee email read.
The problems at Mascot Towers followed similar issues with the Opal Tower at Sydney Olympic Park, which had to be evacuated on Christmas Eve in 2018 after several major cracks were found.
Topics: mascot-2020, sydney-2000
First posted about 3 hours ago
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