Skye Wollongong: 46 defects uncovered in inspection of residential apartment building

The developer of the second tallest unit building in Wollongong has been ordered to carry out rectification works after an inspection uncovered 46 defects – including building cracks – at the site.

Forty-six defects have been identified in the apartment building.

The developer of a newly-built Wollongong unit development has been ordered to carry out rectification works after an inspection by the state’s building watchdog uncovered more than 40 defects at the site.

A building work rectification order has been issued by Fair Trading NSW to developer Wollongong Investments No. 1 Pty Ltd following an inspection of the ‘Skye Wollongong’ apartment tower at 9-15 Railway Parade, Wollongong

The inspection of the 106-unit building – which measures as Wollongong’s second tallest building – identified a total of 46 separate defects that according to Fair Trading failed to comply with Australian building standards.

The defects included uncontrolled cracking of 0.3- 1.3mm wide in the concrete slab of the building’s basement which Fair Trading states had been “patch repaired” with several different products.

“It needs to be confirmed whether the products used are suitable for concrete repairs,” Fair Trading added.

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, pictured at another development site.

On the building’s roof, water was seen “ponding” on the roof surface and cracks/damage were observed by Fair Trading in waterproofing membrane.

In the basement, the horizontal floor surface did not have an adequate slope to drainage outlets which Fair Trading said resulted in an accumulation of excess water in the area.

A photo of the building identified by Fair Trading. Photo: Google Maps.

Fair Trading inspectors also observed chipped concrete in the basement and partially hollow door frames in multiple locations throughout the building.

Concerns by Fair Trading also centred on fire safety including fire hydrant outlets that did not have adequate clearances.

Fair Trading states a door to an fire isolated stairway in the building was locked from the inside, and there was an absence of smoke detectors installed in front of fire exits in two levels of the building.

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, who issued the order on November 6, has required all defects to be remediated within 180 days to ensure the building meets compliance standards.

“I accept that the order requires considerable further building work that is likely to be costly,” he said.

“However, the cost to the developer must be balanced against the benefit to the occupiers in having the development constructed to the Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards.”

In a statement, a spokesman for Wollongong Investments No. 1 Pty Ltd said it “already commenced stage one” rectification works – which it expects to be completed within 60 days – and has “begun programming for stage two works in line with the (Fair Trading) order”.

The spokesman said residents and future buyers could have confidence in the integrity of the building.

“Our established Customer Care department gives our residents in any of our projects, irrespective of built date, a point of contact to notify us of any concerns or questions, which we work to resolve immediately,” he said.

Planning records show the 14 storey development was approved by the Southern Regional Planning Panel in 2018

It is currently advertised to buyers as offering an “opportunity to reside in luxury and executive comfort within a thriving city”.