Shocking photos show the extent of damage inside cracking Opal Tower
A first look at the damage inside Opal Tower at Sydney Olympic Park has revealed worrying cracks and plaster destruction as residents head back inside the building on Christmas Day. SEE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF THE CRACKING WALLS.
A first look inside the Opal Towers shows worrying plaster destruction and cracking in the walls of the building.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal photographs of plaster crumbling off the wall on level 10, and where possible structural cracks forced a mass evacuation of the Olympic Park building.
Large cracks, seen running vertically along the wall, were examined by structural engineers yesterday, who were called in to assess the integrity of the internal support wall.
Laser monitors detected no further movement from the building.
The Daily Telegraph understands the cracks had appeared in a precast panel which had been manufactured off-site. It is understood an outer face of concrete came under pressure and a layer came off. The concrete transfers load, or weight, to the structural column. The cracks are reportedly all on a panel on level 10, but there are 51 units which have a line to that panel.
Completed just four months ago, Opal was developed by Ecove — a company which has built three other towers nearby in Sydney Olympic Park.
It is also building a structure in Hyde Park.
CLAIMS BUILDING ISSUE ‘LOCALISED’
Ecove director Bassam Aflak said in a statement the company was still waiting on advice from engineers but understood the issue was “localised” and related to a concrete panel within the building.
He said the builder, Icon, was “well-established” and had “full liability and design on the construction of Opal Tower”.
“Importantly, the authorities have deemed it safe for people to re-enter and they have isolated the issue to a small number of apartments,” Mr Aflak said.
“It’s a high-quality building. Ecove has delivered a project that is well above the industry standard. Until now it’s a project that’s gained attention because of its quality.
“The important fact is that there is absolutely no danger for the residents. We’re confident this localised issue can be fixed. Most people are now back in their homes.”
Mr Aflak said a number of independent certifiers had oversight of every part of the building and there were “multiple checks and balances”.
He said residents were covered under warranty, adding: “Ecove will help them through that process”.
“We’ve all been stunned by what’s happened, and we’ve been heartened by the way the community has rallied to support the residents, from the emergency service crews and the Salvation Army, to the local businesses, hotels and other people who have worked through Christmas to help us through this time,” Mr Aflak said.
“Ecove remains a significant owner of properties within the building. We, like the residents, are anxious that the builder defines the problem and resolves it as soon as possible.”
Mr Aflak said Ecove had enabled more than $30 million of infrastructure to improve the Sydney Olympic Park community including parklands, a water quality control system that cleans the storm water runoff and wheelchair accessible pathways to Bicentennial Park.
“No expense has been spared in providing the project with high-end finishes such as marble foyers, feature timber paneling and double-glazed windows,” he added.
Olympic diver Brittany O’Brien’s father was one of the residents evacuated on Christmas Eve following loud cracking noises.
“My dad’s building was evacuated due to cracking noises heard and fears the building would collapse,” she said.
“There were other residents with dogs stuck inside, they were very stressed.”
Kiwi tourist Narissa Knight was left stranded outside in her bikini when sirens started blaring in the nearby building her family was staying in on Monday afternoon.
The 20-year-old had been swimming in the pool but was forced to evacuate.
“We couldn’t get anything — I was there in my bikini and no shoes on, nothing,” she told The Daily Telegraph.
“I was walking through the mall and I’m like, ‘oh my God, I have my towel around me.’
“It was so embarrassing,” Ms Knight said.
“We had a Christmas Eve feast at KFC,” Ms Knight’s father David said.
Another resident, John, only had time to put on his slippers before heading to the emergency centre where he spent the night bonding with neighbours.
Mohamed El Dardiry, an architect, was ordered to leave a neighbouring building but managed to sneak back inside to get the Christmas gifts for his three children.
MINISTER ORDERS INVESTIGATION
Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said in a statement that he had ordered his department to “comprehensively investigate and report to me all steps taken to ensure this building’s structural integrity”.
“The investigation into compliance with conditions of approval for this building has already begun,” he said.
Mr Roberts said he would not speculate on the cause of the problem but would make the findings of the investigation public upon completion.
“Emergency Services worked around the clock to ensure the residents’ safety and most of the 392 unit Opal Tower residents have been allowed to return home,” he said.
“I am told that Opal Tower building management has engineers on site to investigate the issue and Department of Planning officials are in touch with building management.
“My heart goes out to those residents who have had their major investments – their homes - affected in such a way and the anxiety it is obviously causing.”
Mr Roberts said the government’s primary focus was to ensure the safety and welfare of residents in and around the building.
A spokesman for the minister said he would wait for the investigation to be completed before making any other decisions concerning examining other buildings at Olympic Park.
TERROR HITS NEW HEIGHTS
THE entire western side of a Sydney Olympic Park tower evacuated on Christmas Eve amid fears it would collapse remained blocked off.
About 300 terrified residents were rushed out of the new building on Monday after huge cracks appeared on the 10th floor of the 36-storey building.
Police initially said the high-rise building had shifted about two millimetres, but it is understood it has now been found there was no movement in the high-rise.
While about two-thirds of the building’s residents were able to return, there were dozens whose apartments were still deemed unsafe and forced to stay in alternative accommodation.
“Fifty-one units have been declared structurally unsafe,” a police spokesman said.
More than 24 hours after the disaster struck, authorities were still unclear on what had happened to cause the building’s damage or who was responsible. Checks are being carried out to see if there is any possible structural damage.
A spokesman for Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said he had ordered the Planning Department to urgently investigate the matter and to “report to him what steps were taken to ensure the structural integrity of the building.”
A planning spokesman said their focus was on “urgently investigating” the building’s compliance.
Completed just four months ago, Opal was developed by Ecove — a company which has built three other towers nearby in Sydney Olympic Park. It is also building a structure in Hyde Park.
The Opal Tower had been approved by the NSW Department of Planning in 2015 because it was considered a “state significant development”.
One of the approval conditions was that a structural report be submitted to the satisfaction of a building certifier. The Daily Telegraph understands the cracks had appeared in a precast panel which had been manufactured off-site.
It is understood an outer face of concrete came under pressure and a layer came off. The concrete transfers load, or weight, to the structural column.
The cracks are reportedly all on a panel on level 10, but there are 51 units which have a line to that panel.
A resident named Yogi said he was planning on moving out of the building after the drama.
“It definitely has taken that Christmas spirit away.” he said.
A spokeswoman for Ecove said affected residents would be reimbursed for the money they had to spend on hotels.
STRANDED RESIDENTS FACING HEFTY HOLIDAY HITS
A THIRD of residents forced to evacuate from a Sydney Olympic Park high-rise on Christmas Eve remain stranded after their apartments were deemed unsafe.
After being initially taken to an evacuation centre, many had to book hotels at peak season holiday rates.
Delsa Daryai, who lives in one of the 51 units, was forced to leave with her mum and daughter after hearing a “really bad noise”. She doesn’t know when she will return.
“After we were evacuated I ran out of the building like everyone,” she said. “We were told we cannot stay overnight at our place and last night they emailed us, so I booked a hotel which cost me $250.”
Lanie Devera slept in her car with her daughter, 12, while their dog, Coco, was trapped in their apartment.
They were let back in yesterday and planned to have Christmas lunch at home. “It’s not safe but of course we have to stay,” she said.
“At least we’re together.”
Building management last night emailed residents to confirm that two structural engineers had approved the building safe for all but 51 apartments. Those residents would have temporary accommodation arranged.
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