Developers of Baju Apartments could be forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix groundwater problem

DEVELOPERS of the controversial Baju Apartments at Henley Beach could be forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix a groundwater problem.

DEVELOPERS of the controversial Baju Apartments at Henley Beach could be forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix their handling of groundwater at the site.

According to a Charles Sturt Council report, developer Bayspring Pty Ltd has been removing groundwater from the Seaview Rd site without approval from the Environment Department and is in breach of the Natural Resources Management Act.

The basement of the four-storey apartment building, which opened in 2011, sits below the water table, making it susceptible to flooding.

TELL US BELOW: How concerned are you about the groundwater at Henley Beach?

Since the apartments were built, groundwater around the basement has been collected and pumped out to sea.

However the Environment Department has told Bayspring the water must be returned to the aquifer and has been in talks with the company to find the best way to comply.

Residents are worried removing the groundwater would allow seawater to seep into the aquifer and change the make-up of the underlying soil, potentially causing cracking in their homes.

A council report has shown more than 134kL of water – the equivalent of one swimming lane of an Olympic-sized pool – is being pumped out to sea each day.

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Western Adelaide Coastal Residents Association president Jim Douglas said removing that much groundwater could affect the water table.

He said buildings close to the beach could be at risk of cracking or losing stability and the Baju Apartments would likely be the worst affected.

“The people there ought to be concerned about it,” Mr Douglas said.

“Its bloody scary…and it is right under their floorboards.”

North St resident Lara Hollamby said the process to fix the issue was taking too long and closer monitoring was needed to reassure residents that damage had not already occurred.

She feared properties in and around Henley Square were at risk of becoming unstable if the removal of groundwater continued.

“It’s not fair for residents and the people who live so close.

“What recourse can they have if they do suffer damage? They deserve some peace of mind.

“The removal of this groundwater has now been going on for years and there has been no meaningful monitoring during that time.”

Reinjecting the water into the aquifer or waterproofing the building are both being considered and could cost anywhere between $300,000 and $700,000.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Department said the practice of removing the water posed “no risk in the short-to-medium term to the integrity of the underlying aquifer”.

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The department did not respond to questions about whether Bayspring would be fined for breaching the Natural Resources Management Act.

Colton State Labor MP Paul Caica said the Department had made it clear no damage had yet been done to the aquifer.

However the water needed to be returned to ensure there were no long-term problems.

“It has gone on far too long and it would be nice to have a speedy conclusion,” Mr Caica said.

Bayspring owner Richard Antunes did not respond to queries by press time.

TELL US BELOW: How concerned are you about the groundwater at Henley Beach?