Arabella Apartments South Strathfield: Serious defects, mould uncovered in apartment complex

A unit development in Sydney’s inner west has come under scrutiny after multiple defects were discovered at the site and residents complained of ‘mould growth’ within the building.

Defects have been uncovered during an inspection of the residential building.

A unit development in Sydney’s inner west has come under scrutiny from the NSW building watchdog after multiple defects were discovered at the site.

Fair Trading NSW has issued a building rectification to the developer of the residential complex at 530-532 Liverpool Rd, Strathfield South after defects relating to inadequate waterproofing and internal load bearing elements of the building were discovered at the site.

The order will remain in place until the works are rectified.

The Fair Trading inspection report states the defects relate to external panels on the east and north facing walls of the development which had been incorrectly installed.

According to Fair Trading, the incorrect installation “enables the ingress of water” into the building.

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

Fair Trading NSW states in the event of continuing water penetrating into the site, the defects could contribute to an inability for residents to inhabit or use the building.

The Owners Corporation of the building – in a submission to Fair Trading – states it has already identified the presence of mould growth in one of the units of the development.

Fair Trading said “mould growth is a consequence of the serious defect” and the “extent of mould would be smaller had the defect been remediated sooner”.

The Fair Trading order shows the incorrect installation of the wall panels are also presenting load-bearing pressures on the building.

“The failure to correctly install the panels is a serious defect in a building element being an internal or external load-bearing component of a building that is essential to the stability of the building,” the Fair Trading order states.

NSW Fair Trading assistant building commissioner Matthew Whitton has set a deadline of six months for the works to be completed.

“I accept that the order requires specified actions that are likely to be costly. However, the cost to the developer must be balanced against the benefit to the occupiers to be gained from identifying the specific building work that will eliminate the serious defects,” he said.

The development is the latest in a long line of construction projects in NSW to be issued with a rectification order, with 41 other orders issued to separate developments in the last six months.

The South Strathfield complex is also known as ‘Arabella Apartments’ and is advertised as offering 18 “boutique” units, ideally suited for first home buyers or investors.