$1 million a week reimbursing homeless residents of troubled Opal Tower

More than 220 units are still deemed uninhabitable in the Opal Tower, with the builder forking out almost $1 million a week reimbursing homeless residents.

The builder of the troubled Opal Tower has forked out almost $1 million a week in reimbursing homeless residents.

An Icon spokeswoman confirmed the company had spent a total $7,300,685 in reimbursing residents for food, accommodation and living expenses since December 31.

That’s the equivalent of about $964,241 a week.

More than 220 units are still deemed uninhabitable due to ongoing rectification work after the 36-storey Sydney Olympic Park tower cracked on Christmas Eve, sparking the evacuation of around 300 residents.

The builder of the troubled Opal Tower has forked out almost $1 million a week in reimbursing homeless residents. Picture: Dylan Robinson

It comes as an independent expert report commissioned by the NSW government, to be released today, found a number of design and construction issues “including noncompliance with national codes and standards” caused major damage to the tower.

Professors Mark Hoffman, John Carter and Stephen Foster said some “hob beams” and panel assemblies were “under designed” according to the National Construction Code and Australian Standard.

They said this left the beams “susceptible to failure by shear compression and bursting”.

Hob beams provide support at the base of precast panel walls.

Details of construction defects in

Sydney’s troubled Opal Tower.

The professors also found “construction and material deficiencies likely contributed to the damage to the hob beams on levels 4 and 10”.

They said while the building was overall structurally sound, “there is significant damage to some elements.”

“It should be noted that extreme environmental events, while rare, could precipitate further damage and consequently it would be prudent not to delay rectification works”.

A plan of rectification works, which involves the strengthening of beams on levels 4, 10 and 16, has not yet been agreed to by all parties.

More than 220 units are still deemed uninhabitable due to ongoing rectification work.

The report says while he building was overall structurally sound, “there is significant damage to some elements.”

The professors also made a number of recommendations which they said would have “significantly reduced the likelihood of, or avoided” the damage.

They include creating a registry of engineers, having all engineering designs for major projects signed off on by an independent engineer, and developing a “mandated regimen” for inspections on major projects for critical stages of construction.

THE RESPONSE

NSW Icon director Julian Doyle said construction related issues identified in the Government Report had been “satisfactorily addressed”.

However, he said its reference to the design strength of the concrete hob was “uncertain”.

“A validation report undertaken by an independent concrete technologist validated the hob’s built strength was in excess of the design requirement,” Mr Doyle said.

“Icon strongly supports the recommendation of the Government-appointed Engineers that third-party engineering review and certification be adopted in New South Wales, as occurs in other states in Australia.”

Icon Managing Director Julian Doyle (left) and WSP's Australian CEO Guy Templeton. Picture: AAP

Design engineering firm WSP Australia has insisted their design for Opal Tower “meets code”.

“What I’d say is that our approved construction design meets code and in the areas of damage in the tower, they were not built to WSP’s design at the points of failure,” said chief executive Guy Templeton.

Mr Templeton said he agreed “in principle” with the recommended industry reforms and welcomed the opportunity to contribute.

Developer Ecove maintained its concern was with the well-being of residents.

Director Bassam Aflak said it was “extremely concerning” that “changes made after the original design and exacerbated by construction issues appears to lie at the core of the problem”.

“We have always enjoyed a strong reputation for delivering high quality developments and this has been nothing short of devastating to us,” he said.

“However, if the industry and community can benefit from a more robust process of quality control as a result of this incident, then it has not been for nothing.”

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts acknowledged it had been a “tough time” for residents and owners.

“I first want to thank them for their patience and support in allowing the independent investigation team to prepare this detailed final report,” he added.

Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean said the NSW government had already committed to registering engineers.

Opposition Leader Michael Daley this afternoon said Labor would adopt all recommendations in the final report if he is elected premier next month.

He said the decision was “based upon the simple premise that you have to build it right the first time”.

“You can only build it right the first time if all of the procedures and checks and balances and measures are put in place,” he said.

“It’s not sufficient for a growing Sydney to be left to design and built itself which is what we’re seeing under this government, whether it’s people watching their communities change through urban development or simple residents who just want to live in a safe building.”