Engineer faces complaint over building faults in major project

Dr Anthony Hasham is the subject of a complaint by the construction watchdog over a major project.

Artist impression of the new Skyview residential development by Toplace.

A building linked to an engineer with ties to several trouble-plagued buildings will be assessed by the construction watchdog.

The Sunday Telegraph understands NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler will conduct an occupation certificate audit on an occupied building in Western Sydney that has alleged problems with its basement slab.

It’s understood the building was engineered by Dr Anthony Hasham, who is the sole director of Australian Consulting Engineers.

Another project engineered by Dr Hasham’s company, Australian Consulting Engineers, was the Skyview building in Castle Hill, constructed by developer Toplace, which also has had allegations of problems with the basement slab.

ACE denies any wrongdoing on that project.

ACE, of which Dr Hasham is the managing director, was also involved in Holdmark’s Harvard building in Meadowbank, which is the subject of court proceedings due to extensive alleged defects.

Dr Hasham is the subject of a complaint to Engineers Australia which was lodged by Mr Chandler earlier this year into ACE’s work at Skyview, which is being built by Toplace director Jean Nassif.

After large cracks were found in the basement slab, Mr Nassif signed enforceable undertakings compelling ACE to fix potential future problems.

ACE conducted periodic inspections at the request of the Skyview builder.

Meanwhile, Mascot Towers owners corporation chair Gary Deigan has criticised the federal Government for awarding Dr Hasham an Order of Australia medal for his service to business and to the Australian-Lebanese community.

An artists impressions of the Skyview residential development by Toplace.

ACE was involved in the construction of Peak Towers, the building next door to the abandoned Mascot Towers.

“It was a real kick in the guts for the owners when we saw earlier this year that Dr Hasham was awarded an Order of Australia medal,” Mr Deigan said.

“The development next door at Peak Towers has resulted in our lives being completely up-ended, we are locked out of our homes and we face financial ruin.

“While we are suing Dr Hasham’s company for negligence to pay for the structural repairs, the government has been busy handing him prestigious awards for service to the community.”

Dr Hasham was not the project engineer for Peak Towers, although his company was involved in the project.

When Dr Hasham was approached for comment, a spokeswoman for ACE said the company “has previously denied any wrongdoing in respect of Skyview and Dr Hasham will co-operate with any investigation conducted by Engineers Australia”.

“The claim commenced by the Owners Corporation of Mascot Towers against the builder, developer, ACE, and other entities involved in Peak Towers, is before the NSW Supreme Court,” she said.

“ACE respects the Court’s processes and does not intend to comment any further until the litigation is finalised.”

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