Ashfield building cracks: Residents near new M4 WestConnex tunnel evacuated
Residents evacuated after cracks began appearing in an inner west unit block remain concerned over the building’s integrity. Local member and Labor leader Jodi McKay said: ‘It’s important to know this is not an Opal Tower and it’s not WestConnex or tunnel related’.
NSW
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Residents of an inner west unit block above the M4 WestConnex say they are considering legal action after cracks appeared in the building overnight.
Emergency services were called to the Green Trees Estate at 18-20 Knocklayde Street in Ashfield after a resident woke to find the floor of the building moving.
Local member and Labor leader Jodi McKay said a lot of the residents are concerned.
“It’s important to know this is not an Opal Tower or Mascot … the concern of residents is this is very close to the tunnel,” Ms McKay said.
“Residents just need to know its not WestConnex or tunnel related,” she said.
“There are a lot of elderly residents and obviously they are rightfully concerned.”
An initial investigation has concluded moisture was to blame, and the damage was not structural.
“We have had an investigation with various engineers from WestConnex, public works and strata management and it appears there is no structural damage and no risk of collapse,” Police Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald said.
“We have found some moisture underneath the tiles so we are confident it’s not structural related,” she said.
But residents aren’t convinced the cracking isn’t connected to the nearby WestConnex tunnel.
Resident Melinda Wilson said most buildings in the large complex have cracks, and WestConnex used to monitor for damage.
“(WestConnex) used to send people out weekly to check if there is any movement, but they haven’t sent anyone out in the last 18 months,” Ms Wilson said.
“I think it’s a WestConnex issue, it’s been minor but there has been cracking ever since the tunnel went in.”
“When all the drilling was happening for the WestConnex you could feel the vibrations, it went on for months.”
Ms Wilson said residents in the neighbouring units weren’t told what was happening last night, and many heard about the incident for the first time in the media.
“We are highly concerned and we obviously want more information about what’s going on,” she said.
Green Trees Estate resident Mel Huriwai also said she “does not believe at all what happened was due to dampness” and has “no doubt” it’s related to the tunnels.
She said during the tunnelling phase of the M4 WestConnex East she “heard constant murmuring and noises like jack hammering.”
Ms Huriwai said residents are in discussion about whether to take action over the incident.
Another resident said he heard explosions while at a nearby petrol station, which he suspected were related to WestConnex.
“Yesterday afternoon … I heard a whole lot of little bangs followed by a large explosion, and I felt the shockwaves coming out of the garage near the inner west city link,” Scott Mills said.
“It was an entourage of boom, boom, boom boom, BOOM,” Mr Mills said.
Another resident reported waking to a “crack and a pop” before seeing their living room tiles bursting from the floor.
Cracks were also seen on the wall of the complex and the front door had become jammed.
NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW rushed to the scene, where firefighters had to force down the resident’s door. The other occupants were also rushed outside.
Initial reports suggest the brickwork of the 20-year-old building had started to show cracking, causing building distortion.
Ten residents from six units of the three-storey complex were evacuated to a nearby community centre.
Initial reports suggest the building is not at risk of collapsing, NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.
“Our advice from engineers is it’s very stable. There's no concerns of the building moving.”
“There was some minor cracking but our main concern was the floor tiles which popped up unexpectedly and made a bit of a noise,” he said.
It is understood the unit was the only one in the complex impacted but at least 10 residents were evacuated as a precaution.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Daily Telegraph the damage “looks pretty bad.”
“I’m concerned we won’t be able to return for a while,” the man said.
He said the newly completed M4 East WestConnex tunnels are located “directly under” the building.
It is understood representatives from WestConnex and Roads and Maritime Services are on scene.
According to Superintendent Dewberry, investigators are looking into whether the tunnels may have caused the cracks but “there’s no link at this stage.”
The Haberfield to Homebush stretch of tunnelling work had been finished almost a year ago, in August 2019, but work is still ongoing near Leichhardt for the M4-M5 tunnel.
Tunnelling progress maps show the property situated near the completed M4 East tunnels.
The maps also show boring work is currently underway 12 metres below ground on the nearby Parramatta Rd at the intersection of Wattle Street.
The entire WestConnex project is slated for completion in 2023.
