Mosman: Spit Rd development halted over building defects

The state’s building commissioner has ordered work to stop on a ritzy north shore apartment development following the discovery of serious building defects.

Tools have been downed on a ritzy apartment development in Mosman following the discovery of serious building defects.

The state’s building commissioner has issued a stop-work order for 188 Spit Rd due to defects, such as a lack of fire extinguishers posing a safety risk for construction workers and future occupants.

The order was issued to developer ABH Building Group and will remain in place until revoked by Fair Trading NSW.

A concept plan of the development at 188 Spit Road Mosman

An inspection report also detailed an absence of a fire booster pump at the front of the $4.6 million development – meaning the firefighting hydrant was not pressurised and unable to be operated – as well as a lack of fire hose reels on two basement carpark levels

The five storey development – which council records show has been in construction stages since at least 2018 – is located on the former site of the Toy Shop Prestige Cars show room and once completed will have 10 units boasting views over Sydney Harbour.

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler said insufficient fire safety measures meant there were no suitable means for emergency crews to effectively respond to a potential fire at the site.

Development work at the site was approved by Mosman Council.

“Fire safety systems, including, but not limited to, the fire hydrants with booster, fire hose reels and fire extinguishers are key elements of a building,” he said.

“The proper performance of these elements is critical to the safety and integrity of the building that is under construction.

“In particular, fire safety systems are critical measures designed to protect life and property in the event of a fire either during construction or following occupation.

“In my opinion, continuing to carry out the building work … could result in significant harm to property and to persons working on the site in the event of a fire breaking because there is no means for construction workers or the fire brigade to fight a fire.”

A concept plan of the development, showing views over the harbour.

The order prevents any future owners moving in until works are rectified. ABH Building Group is also prevented from making settlements with buyers.

A Fair Trading spokeswoman said the department was working with ABH Building Group to bring about remediation.

She said the department was also “monitoring the major advertising sites on a weekly basis to identify properties offered for sale”.

ABH Building Group was contacted for further comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

A concept plan of what the building is intended to look like.

The order was issued in line with laws allowing building sites to be temporarily shut down in cases where there is significant harm or loss to the public.

Neighbour Coni Peacock, whose home backs on the development, said she had concerns with ongoing delays at the construction site.

“Most of the major building work stopped about a year and a half ago and there’s a big excavation (site) behind the building near our fence. Now I’m wondering how safe it is with all this weather we’ve been having,” she said.

“I don’t mind the site being dormant but what can you do if problems develop that affect us when no one’s there. I don’t know who you approach.”