‘Serious defects, cracks’ uncovered at Kingsway, Caringbah apartment development in building watchdog inspection

A unit development in Sydney’s south has come under scrutiny from the state’s building watchdog after a string of serious defects were discovered at the site. See the laundry list here.

Defects including building cracks have been identified in the multimillion dollar development.

A major unit development in Sydney’s south has come under scrutiny from the state’s building watchdog after serious defects including cracks were discovered at the site.

A building work rectification order has been issued to the developer of a multistorey residential building at 404-406 Kingsway in Caringbah following an inspection of the 39-unit complex by Fair Trading NSW.

Fair Trading issued the order to developer Kingsway Garden Developments on April 18 along with a separate prohibition order.

The prohibition order means no residents can move into the development until the defects are fixed and the order is revoked by Fair Trading NSW.

The audit identified seven separate defects at the site including cracking and exposed reinforcements which Fair Trading stated “may lead to the failure in the performance of the concrete structure and the instability of the building.”

A photo of the site during construction phases.

A steel reinforcement in a reinforced concrete structure had also been cut, which Fair Trading stated compromises the structural integrity of the building.

Other defects identified at the site related to waterproofing and fire safety elements of the building.

NSW Building Commission director of building compliance Matt Press has given Kingsway Garden Developments up to four months to fix the defects to ensure the building meets compliance standards.

“I accept that the order requires specified actions that are likely to be costly. However, the cost to the developer must be balanced against the benefit to the occupiers to be gained from identifying the specific building work that will eliminate the serious defects,” he said.

Planning records show the $14.3 million development was approved by Sutherland Council and underwent modifications from approved plans in 2021.

The development, also known as ‘Nura’, comprises six storeys of apartments, commercial space and basement carparking.

The development is currently advertised to prospective buyers, offering “high class modern residential apartments’’.

Fair Trading stated a copy of the order has been sent to the developer but the department had not received a submission in response.