Exclusive: State safety probe into Oracle Hinterland tower at Broadbeach finds ratchet straps ‘used to support’ roof structure
The state’s leading safety body has finally revealed ratchet straps were used to support rusty bars on a massive metal frame on a Gold Coast tower – and action has been taken.
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The state’s leading safety body has finally revealed ratchet straps were used to support structural bars on a massive metal frame sitting atop a 130 metre tall Gold Coast tower.
Work had to be carried out to make the 40-storey Oracle Hinterland tower at Broadbeach safe after a tradie raised the alarm.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) has handed out a raft of improvement and prohibition notices to the body corporate, which is yet to respond to inquiries almost two years after a Bulletin report sparked the probe.
In December 2020, worker Daniel Baresic provided photos and videos of the frame stretching over the tower’s multimillion-dollar penthouse, which was rusty in parts and covered with the ratchet straps.
He was scathing when he spoke about the “quality” of the structure: “Nice, huh? Strap-downs holding the f**king building down. Very nice. Quality. The whole structure.”
WHSQ launched the probe, initially alongside Gold Coast City Council and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).
The Bulletin was in constant contact with WHSQ to get updates, but information was sparse – until now. It was previously revealed at least six notices had been issued.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace has been asked to comment in recent days.
She declined due to WHSQ’s ongoing operational involvement, but the Bulletin received more detailed information from the government agency soon after.
WHSQ said the investigation began “when it was first brought to our attention” and it was “closely involved as initial remediation work was done to ensure the structure was safe”.
“WHSQ is no longer conducting a formal investigation, but inspectors and engineers have since been monitoring all activities to remediate the tower’s structural features as part of their normal compliance and enforcement duties,” a statement read.
“This remediation has taken time because it is a complex task in a high traffic location and must be undertaken carefully with all risks controlled at all times.”
WHSQ said six improvement notices have been issued “regarding the use of ratchet straps to support purlins (a beam or bar that is used for structural support in roofing), and two for failing to get an engineer’s assessment regarding the purlins”.
Three prohibition notices have been issued “preventing workers being on the roof unless working on the remediation, and preventing all workers from being on the roof until a safe work method statement was provided”.
WHSQ did say all notices “have been complied with” and it was satisfied the situation was being managed safely.
“Our engineers and inspectors will continue to monitor and review remediation activities,” the statement read.
The $850 million Oracle towers, unveiled in 2012, were developed by the late Con Nikiforides of Nikiforides Group and constructed by Grocon.
Grocon went into administration around the time the WHSQ investigation was launched and entered into a Deed of Company Arrangement last year.
Grocon has been contacted for comment.
Tower trouble: What you need to know about Oracle probe
October 18: A state government safety probe into the use of ratchet straps on an enormous metal structure atop a Gold Coast skyscraper is dragging out to almost two years.
Tradie Daniel Baresic first spoke to the Bulletin about his concerns surrounding the structure on the 130 metre tall The Oracle Hinterland tower at Broadbeach in December 2020.
It prompted Bulletin queries to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).
Photos and videos provided by Mr Baresic while he worked at the site showed the seemingly decorative structure stretching over the multimillion-dollar penthouse was rusty in parts.
Following a site visit, WHSQ launched an investigation with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).
The 40-storey tower’s body corporate committee has not spoken publicly about the investigation, despite attempts by the Bulletin.
WHSQ inspectors have issued at least six notices during the probe into the Grocon-built tower. Gold Coast City Council was initially involved in the investigations.
The Bulletin has asked why notices were issued, but WHSQ has not disclosed more information.
WHSQ issues notices for reasons including prohibition, infringement and improvement on building sites.
“Before a meeting with the body corporate management of the two separate towers … WHSQ has issued six notices, including two prohibition notices preventing any abseiling repairs from being done,” a spokesman said.
WHSQ has repeatedly been asked for more information, including when the investigation is expected to conclude.
A spokeswoman could only say: “The Oracle Towers investigation remains ongoing, however, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors and engineers are currently working with the Tower’s Body Corporate to certify the structure’s safety.”
The council said in early October: “City officers received a request on December 18, 2020 to investigate building work at the Oracle building, Broadbeach.”
“Officers investigated, and no further action was required to be undertaken by the City,” a spokeswoman said.
“Officers understand that works continue to be undertaken on the structure under the supervision of an appropriately qualified engineer in consultation with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
The QBCC also responded to new inquiries, but provided little insight.
“The QBCC remains at the disposal of other government agencies (WHSQ and Gold Coast City Council) to assist with their ongoing investigation of the matter,” a spokesman said.
“The QBCC is unable to disclose information relating to the ongoing investigation.
“We continue to work closely with WHSQ on a range of safety matters that may affect the Building and Construction industry in Queensland.”
Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union Queensland state secretary Rohan Webb said as the investigation began the union was looking at a range of high-profile instances where authorities had intervened and issued stop work orders.
“Instances include the new Townsville Stadium, and now The Oracle,” he said.
Grocon constructed the $850 million Oracle development, which was unveiled in 2012.
It is a privately-owned development, construction and real estate company, which has won awards for its work in metro centres across the country.
Grocon collapsed into administration around the time WHSQ began its Oracle investigation and entered into a Deed of Company Arrangement in 2021.
Meanwhile, the boss of a company assessing buildings for defects warned late last year the Gold Coast was the “wild west” for builders and “99 per cent” of high-rises had problems that needed to be fixed.
Helensvale-based Structural Diagnostics general manager Adam Husband told the Bulletin of more than 200 new projects and 400 older buildings inspected by his company in the prior five years, only one received a clean bill of health.
It was revealed body corporates are being forced to spend millions to fix problems – including windows loose in frames, falling concrete and shaky balustrades – in complexes.
BUSINESS OWNER SPEAKS UP
The owner of a prominent Gold Coast restaurant has raised concerns about the long-running safety investigation into the use of ratchet straps on a Broadbeach tower.
Moo Moo The Wine Bar and Grill’s Steven Adams has called for clarity on the safety of the metal structure on top of The Oracle Hinterland tower and said the public has a right to know.
He said the multi-agency probe, which has included Workplace Health and Safety, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Gold Coast City Council, should be wholly transparent.
“A lot of locals want to know what’s going on with it (the investigation),” he said.
“Anyone who walks around Broadbeach on a regular basis would probably like assurances something like that is safe.
“People I know have mentioned it (the issue) and were quite surprised to see how the structure seems to be sitting there.”
Mr Adams said the tower investigation had “certainly come up for discussions on numerous occasions”.
“There would be concern from numerous people who are locals and regulars at Broadbeach,” he said.
Mr Adams was surprised the investigation had dragged on for so long.
“We want to know the buildings around us are safely constructed to standard,” he said.
“It’s just not knowing. The issue was raised – so what’s the outcome?”
Originally published as Exclusive: State safety probe into Oracle Hinterland tower at Broadbeach finds ratchet straps ‘used to support’ roof structure
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