Ryde La Perle apartments: Developers ordered to fix defects after building watchdog inspection

The company which built a new apartment block in Sydney’s northern suburbs has been ordered to fix more than 30 serious defects, including leaks.

Thirty six defects have been identified in the apartment building (right).

The developer of a new unit development in Ryde has been ordered to carry out rectification works after an inspection by the state’s building watchdog uncovered more than 30 defects at the site.

A building work rectification order has been issued by Fair Trading NSW to developer Eastern Pearl Pty Ltd following an inspection of the ‘La Perle’ apartment building at 13-15 Porter St.

An inspection identified 36 separate defects that, according to Fair Trading, failed to comply with Australian building standards.

The defects included inadequate drainage works, corrosion of permanent steel structures on the building’s roof, and inadequate ventilation within the carpark.

Defects relating to waterproofing include water penetrating into the basement carpark of the unit block and inadequate drainage near ground floor units.

A photo of the development identified by Fair Trading NSW

Fair Trading states there was also evidence of water seepage in a wall above an elevator and the slab of the building, and inadequate water roofing installed on the roof.

Concerns by Fair Trading also centred on fire safety including inadequate fire systems in the carpark and an absence of exit signs for emergency exits. There was also inadequate fire-resistant sealing of service penetrations throughout the building.

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler.

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, who issued the order on November 1, has required all defects to be remediated within 180 days to ensure the building meets compliance standards.

Mr Chandler said the developer must “demonstrate compliance” with the remediation works by providing photographs of the works in progress and any third-party inspection reports.

“I accept that the order requires considerable further construction work that is likely to be costly,” he said.

“However, the cost to the developer must be balanced against the benefit to the occupiers of the building in having the building being appropriately waterproofed, compliant with fire safety standards and structurally sound”.

Planning records show the development was approved in 2015 and is currently advertised as offering “modern and stylish” apartments.