‘Serious defects’ uncovered at Belmore apartment development in building watchdog inspection

An apartment tower near Canterbury hospital has come under scrutiny from the state’s building watchdog after “substantial” cracking was uncovered at the site.

Developer Viewland Developments Pty Ltd were ordered to fix defects at 585-589 Canterbury Road, Belmore.

A mixed-use development across from Canterbury hospital in Sydney’s southwest has come under scrutiny from the state’s building watchdog after “substantial” cracking was uncovered at the site.

A building rectification order has been issued by Fair Trading NSW to developer Viewland Developments Pty Ltd following an inspection of the apartment building at 585-589 Canterbury Rd, Belmore.

An inspection found 31 “serious” defects that, according to Fair Trading, failed to comply with Australian building standards.

The defects included “substantial” cracks in the basement two car park floor, concrete walls and multiple cracks in the property’s external facade.

31 "serious defects" were discovered at 585-589 Canterbury Road, Belmore.

A string of fire safety shortfalls, including failure to install a warning sign to doors at fire isolated exits alongside damaged and defective installation of gaps between fire rated walls and concrete slabs.

Fair Trading also stated fire pillows used to protect service shafts through fire rated concrete slabs were installed in the incorrect direction without a fire rated sealant which “may not achieve integrity fire resistance”.

Inspectors failed to find detectors used to activate stair pressurisation at doorways adjacent to fire isolated exits – a system to prevent heat and smoke from travelling into exit-routes, including fire-isolated staircases where residents would evacuate during a blaze.

Other defects uncovered included storm water collection in the basement three carpark and the accumulation of excess water in multiple locations as inspectors found floor surfaces failed to have an “adequate slope to the drainage outlets.”

Developer Viewland Developments Pty Ltd were ordered to fix defects at 585-589 Canterbury Road, Belmore.

Fair Trading stated there was inadequate waterproofing along the perimeter walls of the courtyard and lift cars also did not appear to be fitted with emergency lights.

The planter boxes on the property returned high moisture readings and efflorescence – the formation of crystal salts following a potential water leak – and water egress were discovered from the planter box.

Assistant Building Commissioner Elizabeth Stewart, who issued the order on April 9 has required all defects to be remediated to ensure the building meets compliance standards.

“Considering these potential consequences as outlined in this order, I give greater weight to the seriousness of the defects and failure to adhere to the Australian Standards and Building Code of Australia, and the benefits arising from remediating them,” she said.

According to Fair Trading, the developer had “obtained their own expert advice, and attached a list of rectification methods for the defects”.