Opal Tower: engineers report cause while Olympic Park residents live in hotels

The Opal Tower saga is far from over for about 300 evacuated residents, despite the final government report being published today, who are on their 57th day of living in hotels week to week.

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The Opal Tower saga is far from over for about 300 evacuated residents, despite the final government report being published today, who are on their 57th day of living in hotels week-to-week.

Professors Mark Hoffman, John Carter and Stephen Foster published their final report on the cause, repairs and regulatory recommendations of the tower debacle after cracks were heard in the 36-storey structure at Sydney Olympic Park on December 24.

The Opal Tower at Olympic Park. Picture: Dylan Robinson

They identified poor quality hob beam and panel assembly, which left the materials susceptible to bursting.

A decision to only partially grout the joints between the beams and panels increased the stress in the former, according to the professors.

The professors — engineers from NSW universities — said they agreed in-principle with the repairs planned.

“We consider that the building is overall structurally sound and the localised damage to the building can be rectified,” they said.

The question of when residents could return was beyond the scope of the report.

However, the trio recommended the repairs, a detailed analysis of load redistribution, and engineers’ checks be completed prior to residents returning.

That could mean residents like Anthony Leece, on his 57th day of temporary accommodation, do not return for a while yet.

Resident Anthony Leece outside the tower. Picture: John Appleyard

Mr Leece was for the first 23 days provided a room at the Pullman Hotel at Sydney Olympic Park.

He was then moved to his current residence at the Novotel at Darling Harbour.

Mr Leece had been living on the 35th floor of the Opal Tower.

“We’ve traded a three-bedroom property for a small room,” he said.

Hotel rooms have been the makeshift home for many Opal residents. Picture: Accor Hotels

“It takes its toll after a while because you don’t have all the things you need to conduct a life.

“Someone said `why don’t you take a holiday’.

“I said `I don’t want to go to another hotel’.”

Builder Icon is providing accommodation for residents of 220 homes which remain affected by repairs.

It has spent $7,300,685 on their food, accommodation and living expenses since December 31.

Some owners are angry at Icon declaring their homes safe to reoccupy and no longer providing accommodation.

These owners say they should not be expected to return until all repairs and checks are completed.

Investors may also be left with expenses. Some tenants have stopped paying rent while being reimbursed to live in hotels, one investor who wished to remain anonymous said.

The professors’ report has recommended registration of structural engineers, and independent third-party checks during construction, to prevent repeat cases.

Developer ECove opened the Opal Tower in August last year.