Jardin building Maroubra: Developer ordered to fix 33 defects at 128a Garden St

A newly completed Sydney apartment building has come under scrutiny after ‘excessive cracking’ and water leaks were uncovered in an inspection by the state’s building watchdog.

The state’s building watchdog has ordered a developer to repair “excessive cracking” and water leaks uncovered in an inspection of a recently-completed apartment building in Maroubra.

A building work rectification order has been issued by Fair Trading NSW to developer Maroubra Living Pty Ltd following an inspection of the multistorey apartment building – known as ‘Jardin’ – at 128a Garden St.

An inspection identified 33 separate defects including “excessive cracking” in the rooftop concrete slab of the seven storey building.

The order – issued on March 21 – states the “serious defects” constitute breaches of multiple Australian building standards.

The inspection report states defects at the building included water ingress through a damaged wall panel in the building found – a defect found to be causing “unhealthy or dangerous conditions, loss of amenity for occupants and undue dampness”.

A photo of the building identified by Fair Trading NSW.

Water leaks and cracking were among the defects identified.

Fair Trading says a concrete slab in the building had not been properly vibrated or compacted which has created areas of segregation and honeycombing.

According to the report, inadequate drainage on the building’s roof was another area of concern with large volumes of water found “ponding” in the common roof area, partly from a leaking hot water system.

Inadequate drainage outlets were also identified in some units of the building which Fair Trading stated was causing an accumulation of excess water and water damage.

The report found fire safety standards were another area of concern including a fire stair door that was observed to be undersized and fitted with large gaps”.

Department of Customer Service director of legal operations Elizabeth Stewart has given Maroubra Living Pty Ltd up to four months to fix the defects to ensure the building meets compliance standards.

“The potential consequence of the serious defects … are that they may negatively impact the amenity of the development for owners and occupiers and may reduce the ability of the development being used for its intended purposes,” Ms Stewart said in the order.

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

“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 development was approved in the Land and Environment Court and is currently occupied by tenants.

The development is advertised as offering “impeccably presented” apartments that have “been designed with accessibility in mind”.