‘Serious defects’ uncovered at Warwick Farm apartment development in building watchdog inspection

A major development in Sydney’s southwest has come under scrutiny from the state’s building watchdog after more than 40 separate defects were discovered at the site.

57-59 Lachlan St, Warwick Farm.

A major residential development in Sydney’s southwest has come under scrutiny from the state’s building watchdog after more than 40 separate defects were discovered at the site.

A building rectification order has been issued by Fair Trading NSW to developer Derby St Projects Pty Ltd following an inspection of the apartment building ‘Grafter’ at 57-59 Lachlan St, Warwick Farm.

An inspection identified 45 separate “serious” defects that, according to Fair Trading, failed to comply with Australian building standards.

The defects included water ingress from the external courtyard areas into the carpark which which could cause “unhealthy or dangerous conditions”.

57-59 Lachlan St, Warwick Farm.

Fair Trading also stated there was water staining found on the rooftop and door frame corrosion in the basement toilet due to insufficient waterproofing.

In one unit there were inadequate falls to the drainage outlet to the bathroom and laundry which resulted in the “accumulation of excess water throughout the floor area.”

The lift shaft on the rooftop was “inadequately waterproofed” and lead to water ingress into the internal building which could result in the “dampness or deterioration of building elements.”

Fair Trading also uncovered multiple fire safety concerns, including wires and cables in service cupboards not being fire sealed.

The fire hydrant block plan at the fire hydrant booster failed to show the location of the sprinkler control valves for residents.

Other defects uncovered were foreign objects including wires, corroded nails and metal objects found embedded within the concrete.

Inspectors also found chipped and honeycombing concrete – when concrete resembles a bee’s honeycomb next due to a possible number of factors including an incorrect cement to water ratio or poor concrete filling.

57-59 Lachlan St, Warwick Farm.

The cables in one building were also not properly installed in the electricity meters room and data room as the “cable fixings are spaced too far apart to adequately support the cables”.

Assistant Building Commissioner Elizabeth Stewart, who issued the order on January 12, has required all defects to be remediated within 120 days to ensure the building meets compliance standards.

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

According to Fair Trading, the developer’s primary submission is that it was “premature” for the department to issue an order as the “alleged defects and the scope of rectification set out in the ARC Report are in dispute”.

“The developer is prepared to work directly with the owners to complete the rectification works with a qualified building expert and fire expert,” their submission states.