Serious defects, cracking, mould identified in newly-built complex at 16-20 Park Ave, Waitara

A unit development in Sydney’s north has come under scrutiny after multiple defects including cracking, mould, and inadequate waterproofing works were discovered at the site.

A total of 53 separate defects have been identified at the residential complex.

A unit development in Sydney’s north 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 90-unit residential complex at 16-20 Park Avenue in Waitara to fix 53 seperate defects relating to inadequate waterproofing, structural systems, fire safety and essential building services.

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

The Fair Trading inspection report stated defects including “significant cracking” was observed in stairs, slabs and columns in the building’s basement.

According to Fair Trading, there were multiple defects relating to waterproofing including “significant water ingress” into sections of the development and a wall lining that was observed to be “separating and detaching in a number of areas”.

A photo of the development identified by Fair Trading NSW.

Fair Trading stated it observed water ingress into external fire doors in the development “with mould and rust visible”.

An external patio on the ground level of the building was observed by Fair Trading to be showing signs of water ingress to the concrete render, causing “cracking and deterioration”.

Defects relating to fire safety included insufficient sprinkler coverage in areas of the basement including the underside of mechanical carpark exhaust ducts.

There was also non-compliant emergency exit lighting, insufficient fire detection coverage and “a poor concrete mix” evident in the construction of fire stairs.

In a fire sprinkler pump room, Fair Trading observed a lack of ventilation or exhaust – rendering the room uninhabitable and preventing the diesel sprinkler pump from functioning.

Other defects identified by Fair Trading included Insufficient insulation on hot water piping, and no fire rated ventilation throughout the building.

NSW Building Commission executive director of building operations Elizabeth Stewart, who issued the rectification order, has required all defects to be remediated within three months to ensure the building meets compliance standards.

“I accept that this order requires considerable further building works and actions that are likely to be costly,” she said.

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

Planning records show the $19.6 million development was approved by Hornsby Council in 2015 and was completed in 2017.