SafeWork SA investigating second safety breach at Festival Tower in four months

South Australia’s most controversial building is at the centre of an official safety inquiry after the second dangerous site breach involving neighbouring Parliament House in four months.

South Australia’s most controversial building is at the centre of a safety inquiry after a second dangerous site breach involving neighbouring Parliament House in four months.

SafeWork SA inspectors are investigating how a three foot-long plank of plywood, which was an inch thick, fell from the $1bn Festival Tower into parliament’s courtyard on Friday.

As witnesses told of their shock, leaked documents revealed a similar incident occurred in November last year at the North Terrace site’s northwest corner, just metres from the Premier’s office.

Alarmed parliamentary authorities told MPs, staffers and public servants on Friday the popular yard is shut indefinitely over safety concerns with 115m-high tower build.

“The section of plywood would cause real injuries if it fell on somebody,” one said.

“It was located in a courtyard near the Premier’s office. We’re not that happy about it.”

The courtyard pictured from the Festival Tower. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Walker Corporation is developing One Festival Tower but building firm Built is responsible for site works and safety.

The courtyard, which is also used for media conferences, public tours and worker breaks, is now in the 29-storey tower’s shadows but was empty on Friday morning.

Workers told of their shock at what some described as “sloppy” work. Other sources called for sanctions for “careless and dangerous behaviour”.

“This incident is terrifying,” another source said.

“The size of the wooden plank would have killed someone if the worst had of happened – that is an unforgivable breach of workplace safety.”

“It beggars belief this issue hasn’t been competently addressed already because for months debris from the worksite has been falling into the courtyard.”

A Covid-19 update press conference with former SA Premier Steven Marshall, chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, and then Health Minister Stephen Wade, in the courtyard in 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

Minutes of a November 14 Joint Parliamentary Services Committee meeting showed “concerns were raised” with the area.

“Safety is an issue as debris has apparently fallen in the area from building works adjacent,” MPs heard. “The matter (will) be addressed early next year regarding use.”

Lower House speaker Dan Cregan said it was concerning. “I’m advised that building debris from an adjacent site have been located inside the parliamentary precinct,” he said.

“The builder has notified SafeWork (SA).” A Walker Corporation spokesman had no comment as it awaited Built’s investigation.

A Built spokeswoman said the incident was properly reported to the state’s workplace safety watchdog.

“The facade and safety netting, which fully encapsulate the site, were thoroughly checked and cleared,” she said.

Opposition leader David Speirs and Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn leave the courtyard after a media conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

“We consider site safety as our number one priority and are undertaking a full investigation into the incident with the support of SafeWork SA.”

A SafeWork SA spokesman had no comment.

Developer Lang Walker last week told The Advertiser’s Future SA forum that his tower will be fully leased mid-year.

Flinders University will open a city campus in the 40,000sq m building while Deloitte is relocating its Adelaide headquarters there.