Court battle over Surry Hills library glass facade drags on

THE glass facade of the award winning Surry Hills library is reportedly deteriorating as the court battle between the City of Sydney and the contractors enters its third year.

Surry Hills Library has an award-winning design but the glass facade is allegedly deteriorating.

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A THREE-YEAR fight to address­ alleged substandard construction of the glass facade of Surry Hills library will continue in the Supreme­ Court.

In 2014, the City of Sydney decided to take Australian company Probuild Constructions, the contractor hired for the Surry Hills library­ and community centre project, and Freyssinet Australia to court over the construction of the glass facade, which­ is reportedly deteriorating.

Three years later, the City and the respondents are still embroiled in the case, despite attempts at settlement over the matter, pushing the case to the Supreme Court.

The glass facade of the Surry Hills Library and Community Centre is said to be deteriorating and posing a safety risk to the public.

In the intervening years, safety concerns have emerged.

A council report­ revealed investigations were under way to “ascertain the full extent of any further deterioration­ and to ensure there are no safety risks”.

These investigations are nearly complete.

Aurecon, Freyssinet’s glass subcontractor and the designer of the glass facade, has since been joined to the dispute and has until early March 2017 to serve its expert­ evidence.

The City, along with Probuild Constructions and Freyssinet Australia have been directed to engage in mediation before April 7.

“This matter is before the Supreme Court of NSW. The decision to take the matter to litigation was made by Council Resolution on 15 September 2014,” a City of Sydney spokeswoman said.

A court battle has been waging over the glass used for the Surry Hills Library and Community Centre since 2014.

The spokeswoman would not elaborate on the case.

“While the City cannot comment on the details of current legal proceedings, the safety of the public is a key concern,” the spokeswoman said.

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“The City constantly monitors and ensures the safety of all members of the public in its buildings. There is no cause for concern for library users,” she said.

Probuild Constructions will appear in the District and Supreme Court this month over other matters.