Building watchdog orders developer to fix 43 defects uncovered at Kingston Quarter development in Meadowbank

A multimillion apartment building has come under scrutiny after the NSW building watchdog uncovered more than 40 serious defects at the site including water leaking through windows and cracks in the building’s basement.

More than 40 separate defects have been identified at the site.

A major apartment building advertised as offering waterfront views and “luxurious designer finishes” has come under scrutiny after an inspection by the NSW building watchdog uncovered more than 40 serious defects at the site.

Fair Trading NSW has issued a building rectification order to the developer of the multistorey apartment building at 116 Bowden St in Meadowbank relating to 43 separate defects including cracks in the building’s basement and inadequate waterproofing works.

The development – known as the Kingston Quarter – has more than 100 apartments and is currently occupied by tenants.

Planning records show the building forms part of the $149.5 million Shepherds Bay development which was approved by the Sydney East Joint Regional Planning Panel in 2015.

An inspection report released by Fair Trading shows defects identified at the site included uncontrolled cracking in the basement carpark of the development.

A photo of the development identified by Fair Trading NSW.

Multiple defects identified in the order related to inadequate waterproofing including water leaking through the tops of windows causing wet floors in multiple units and common areas of the development.

Fair Trading identified further waterproofing defects on the building's roof where water was observed to be accumulating due to inadequate drainage.

In the building’s basement, water dampness and seepage was observed near a drainpipe due to inadequate construction of the slab.

Various defects were also identified relating to inadequate fire safety works including gaps under fire doors that exceeded 10mm, and inconsistent orientation of sprinkler heads in basement carpark

The construction of the development was approved in 2015.

Other defects identified in the order included corrosion of a mechanical services switchboard on the roof of the development which was not provided with protection against external influences.

The rectification order was issued to developer AIT Investment Group Pty Ltd on July 16 and will remain in place until revoked by Fair Trading NSW.

It is understood the developer has engaged an external and independent consultant to manage the remedial works identified in the rectification order.

NSW Building Commission acting executive director of building operations Matt Press has set a six-month deadline for the defects to be fixed.

“I accept that the order requires specified actions that are likely to be costly,” he 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.”

In a statement, a spokesman for the developer stated it was co-operating closely with the Building Commissioner to determine the necessary rectification works.

“This building was completed around four years ago and is one of 13 that make up the iconic Shepherds Bay waterfront urban renewal project in Meadowbank, which includes around 3,000 apartments in total,” a spokesman said.

“It is common for large developments of this type and scale to require maintenance after a period of settling in, and we have a dedicated team ready to complete the agreed works within the specified time frame.

“‘(We are) renowned for (our) commitment to quality and (our) proactive approach in addressing the needs and concerns of owners and tenants.

“Current and future owners and tenants can take great confidence in the fact that (we were) recently included on the iCIRT Register of trustworthy building professionals, which involves a rigorous independent review process that is strongly endorsed by the Building Commissioner.”