Defects found at Kula Apartments in Patricia St, Mays Hill

The state’s building watchdog insists a western Sydney apartment block is safe for occupants despite a raft of defects being identified at the complex.

Kula Apartments, also known as Tricia units, at Mays Hill.

The NSW Building Commission insists a 25-unit block at Mays Hill is safe despite finding seven defects on the site, including columns made of poor concrete that threaten the building’s stability.

The commission has ordered repairs to the defects after an inspection was undertaken at the Kula Apartments, also known as the Tricia units, at 3-5 Patricia St in October.

The apartments – developed by company Patricia St Developments – are booked to visitors for short and long-term stays, and have been occupied since March 2022.

A basement column beam – which is essential to the stability of the building – was found to have poor concrete.

“Unsuitable quality of concrete used in the construction of the column beams has resulted in the top part of the column to the basement to be missing, and the bearing base for the concrete slab being reduced,’’ the report by the commission’s acting director Elizabeth Stewart stated.

Defects were found at the Mays Hill block.

“The poor concrete compromises the structural performance and structural adequacy of the concrete. As a result, it is likely to cause inability of the concrete columns to withstand the loads of the structure.’’

A fire door frame was found be unsafe because it was hollow and unfilled. The discovery prompted the order to be fixed so the fire stair compartment can resist fire.

Water was also found leaking through a skylight in a kitchen, “causing bubbling and evidence of moisture on plasterboard”.

Water also penetrated through a copper pipe on a wall in the basement.

Two fire collars were exposed to moisture and showed signs of corrosion and rust. A left frame on a door was also detected separated from the wall.

Kula Apartments are occupied by guests for short to long-term stays.

Inadequate waterproofing has also caused mould and stains on the walls.

In February the developer agreed to rectify “all seven defects” and successfully requested an extra month to rectify two of the problems.

The developer was given up to four months to fix faults so they are up to code.

Occupants were not evacuated from the building because the commission deems it safe.

“The defects identified in this order do not place occupants who live in these apartments in danger,’’ a NSW Fair Trading spokesman said.

“Residents of the site were informed of the defects around the time the building works rectification order was issued in May 2024.

“Building Commission NSW will continue to work with the developer to achieve compliance within the ordered time frame.’’

This week guest Kimberlee Hunter, who has visited Sydney from Far North Queensland with her nephew for the State-of-Origin match, booked the Kula Apartments for two nights.

She said it was strange upon learning it had defects.

“I possibly would have found somewhere else,’’ she said.