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Opal Tower cracks: NSW government promises urgent investigation Opal Tower cracks: developer defends 'high-quality' building at Sydney Olympic Park
(35 minutes later)
The New South Wales government has begun an urgent investigation into the Sydney apartment building that developed a crack on Christmas Eve. The developer of the Sydney high-rise that developed a crack on Christmas Eve has said the tower is still “a high-quality building” and the evacuation of residents only became a news story because “it happened over the Christmas break”.
The brand new Opal Tower highrise was evacuated on Monday night after residents heard loud noises and a crack developed on an internal wall on the 10th floor. Bassam Aflak, the director of developer Ecove, said the Opal Tower was “absolutely” safe for residents and criticised “sensational” media reporting in a Boxing Day statement.
On Christmas Day, two-thirds of the building was declared safe, but 51 units remained unsafe for habitation. An email to residents, seen by Guardian Australia, said a fault had developed from “ground floor to [floor] 35”. The brand new Opal Tower was evacuated on Monday night after residents heard loud noises and a crack developed on an internal wall on the 10th floor. Two-thirds of the building was later declared safe, but 51 units remained unsafe for habitation on Boxing Day.
On Boxing Day, the NSW planning department confirmed it would investigate whether the building was compliant with the state’s rules and regulations. On Wednesday Aflak said the problem was probably due to a concrete panel and “full liability” lay at the feet of the builder, Icon Construction.
“Importantly, the authorities have deemed it safe for people to re-enter and they have isolated the issue to a small number of apartments,” Aflak said.
“It’s a high-quality building. Ecove has delivered a project that is well above the industry standard. Until now it’s a project that’s gained attention because of its quality.
“The media has understandably investigated this as a sensational story but it’s happened over the Christmas break when there is a scarcity of people who can comment with authority.”
On Wednesday the New South Wales government announced an urgent investigation into whether the building complied with the state’s rules and regulations.
In his statement, Aflak said he was “stunned” by events.
“Icon, the builder has full liability on the design and construction of Opal Tower. The company is a well-established high-quality builder. We’ve all been stunned by what’s happened … We, like the residents, are anxious that the builder defines the problem and resolves it as soon as possible.”
An email to residents on Tuesday, seen by Guardian Australia, said a fault had developed from “ground floor to [floor] 35”. On Wednesday they were told Icon would be carrying out building works that day.
The NSW Department of Planning said on Wednesday its investigation was already under way.
“The department’s compliance team was activated today and we are in touch with emergency services,” a spokesman told Guardian Australia. “The work has commenced, it will take what it takes.”“The department’s compliance team was activated today and we are in touch with emergency services,” a spokesman told Guardian Australia. “The work has commenced, it will take what it takes.”
Sydney Olympic Park Opal Tower evacuation: 51 units deemed unsafeSydney Olympic Park Opal Tower evacuation: 51 units deemed unsafe
The planning minister, Anthony Roberts, said he had ordered a comprehensive report. The planning minister, Anthony Roberts, promised he would make the report’s findings public.
“I will not speculate on the cause of the problem, but once the investigation by the Department of Planning is complete, I will make it public,” he said.
The planning department will not necessarily examine the building’s structure, but will examine whether the conditions of consent for its development were met.
Opal Tower, built by developer Ecove, was completed this year. The company said on Tuesday it was “deeply sympathetic” to residents.
Roberts said he had been informed that Opal Tower management had sent engineers to the site on Wednesday.
“My heart goes out to those residents who have had their major investments – their homes – affected in such a way and the anxiety it is obviously causing,” he said.“My heart goes out to those residents who have had their major investments – their homes – affected in such a way and the anxiety it is obviously causing,” he said.
The planning department will not necessarily examine the building’s structure, but will examine whether the conditions of consent for its development were met.
Opal Tower, built by developer Ecove, was completed this year.
On Tuesday, residents received an email from the building’s strata managing agent that said 341 apartments were open.On Tuesday, residents received an email from the building’s strata managing agent that said 341 apartments were open.
“We have been notified by both Opal Tower’s building manager and the developer that two structural engineers approved the building safe for occupation and 341 apartments were reopened for resident access,” it said.“We have been notified by both Opal Tower’s building manager and the developer that two structural engineers approved the building safe for occupation and 341 apartments were reopened for resident access,” it said.
“Accommodation facilities have been arranged by Icon Constructions at both the Novotel and Ibis in Sydney Olympic Park at no cost to those 51 residents [still affected]”.“Accommodation facilities have been arranged by Icon Constructions at both the Novotel and Ibis in Sydney Olympic Park at no cost to those 51 residents [still affected]”.
One resident, Samantha Lynn, told Channel Seven on Wednesday morning she was now looking for “somewhere else to live”.One resident, Samantha Lynn, told Channel Seven on Wednesday morning she was now looking for “somewhere else to live”.
“I don’t fully understand how one third of a building can be deemed unsafe – what does that mean for the other two thirds? I still don’t have the answers to that question. For me it’s about getting out as soon as possible and finding somewhere else to live.”“I don’t fully understand how one third of a building can be deemed unsafe – what does that mean for the other two thirds? I still don’t have the answers to that question. For me it’s about getting out as soon as possible and finding somewhere else to live.”
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