Strata Community Association boss Laura Bos ‘dismayed’ to see part of Oracle Hinterland tower ‘held together by ratchet straps’
The manager of a peak Queensland property body was appalled to see “important structural elements” of a Broadbeach tower “held together by ratchet straps”.
Gold Coast
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The boss of Queensland’s peak property body was “dismayed to see important structural elements” of a Gold Coast tower “held together by ratchet straps”.
Strata Community Association (SCA) Queensland general manager Laura Bos said the use of the straps on a rusty metal frame on the Oracle Hinterland tower at Broadbeach was “extremely dangerous and concerning”.
Ms Bos spoke out after Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) revealed to the Bulletin a probe which began in December 2020 had finally finished.
WHSQ has worked with the body corporate to remediate the framing “to ensure the structure was safe” and handed out notices.
Three prohibition notices have been issued preventing workers being on the tower’s roof unless working on remediation under a safe work method statement.
The investigation was launched after worker Daniel Baresic provided images and video footage of the structure covered in straps.
Ms Bos called for strong action by the state government to improve building standards.
“There is a need for significant government intervention and protection of consumers in the high-rise building sector and this disturbing incident is a prime example as to why,” she said.
“I hope this spurs the Government to intervene and take action to assure building quality in our strata sector, and protect owners when things go wrong. “
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) stated: “The QBCC understands that this investigation has been led by WHSQ and Gold Coast City Council and we will continue to monitor the situation.”
The QBCC has had limited involvement with the tower, which was completed in 2010.
Building owners and occupiers are responsible for maintenance.
Ms Bos said there was an epidemic of dangerous defects in apartment blocks statewide.
“Research from Deakin University published in 2019 indicates that a staggering 71 per cent of Queensland residential unit complexes had at least one building defect and the average number of defects in Queensland buildings assessed by this report was 12,” she said.
“These figures are astounding and a significant worry for anyone who is thinking about buying an apartment in Queensland.
“Last week at the Housing Summit hosted by the Premier, there was support for making it easier to redevelop strata schemes to create more property using less land. This is something we strongly support.”
“Despite this, the missing plank to simply creating more supply is confidence in what is being built.”
Ms Bos said it was unfair to ask young unit buyers “to put their life savings into an apartment that statistically is likely to have significant defects with no recourse”.
“They are likely to be left with a huge unforeseen bill after having poured everything they have into a deposit, stamp duty and other transaction costs,” she said.
“When people hear endless stories of failing waterproofing, incidents like this and huge bills being thrust on innocent purchasers, they naturally baulk at buying an off the plan apartment.”
Ms Bos suggested quality construction could be ensured by extending the home warranty scheme or implementing decennial liability insurance, similar to New South Wales.
The form of insurance is taken out by a builder or developer for a decade after a building is completed to assist future owners.
The Oracle body corporate has not responded to emails and phone calls requesting comment.
SCA members represent more than 70 per cent of 500,000-plus lots in 50,000 Queensland community titles.
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Originally published as Strata Community Association boss Laura Bos ‘dismayed’ to see part of Oracle Hinterland tower ‘held together by ratchet straps’
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