Russell Island QBCC inspector complains about building approval standards

A Queensland building inspector has lodged a formal complaint with a local council claiming it has failed to respond adequately to his concerns about building approvals and permits on a bay island.

QBCC building inspector Darryl Williams has lodged a complaint about building approvals for Russell Island properties. Picture: Contributed

A Queensland building inspector has raised alarming concerns about council’s responses to his concerns about building approvals on a bay island.

In a formal complaint lodged with Redland City Council this month, QBCC inspector Darryl Williams claimed the bayside council had failed to act on several of his complaints about building certification on Russell Island.

The QBCC inspector said there had been a number of cases where building permits had been granted without adequate approvals or onsite inspections.

He highlighted one case where he said owners of an island property had “certificates” for a range of building works under a two-storey house.

Mr Williams reported the property to Redland council in 2020, after he claimed he found oil seeping up from soil from a mechanics workshop built at the property.

The tyre repair and mechanic business on Russell Island. Picture: Contributed

He also claimed the original three-bedroom, two-bathroom property had been transformed into a dual occupancy, a claim the owner has said was untrue.

In his letter to the council chief executive Andrew Chesterman, Mr Williams claimed the house was now a six-bedroom building with three toilets and 27 water fixture outlets on a 677 sqm non-sewered block.

“A certifier has approved the works, classifying the property as a Class 1A dwelling, with the support of the Redland City Council,” Mr Williams said.

“I had reported to Redland City Council a health and safety concern of significance early in 2023 in relation to plumbing and sewage issues as well as to the EPA.

“The council had inspected where odours were emanating from the property, as well as oil being spilt in the adjoining paddocks, the entire road and surrounding the homeowners’ fence from the waste products of the commercial-sized mechanic home business the owners were running and continue to run today,” the letter said.

Russell Island businessman and property owner Douglas Warner said his property was fully compliant and he had worked with the council for eight months. Picture: Contributed

The property owner Douglas Warner, who owns Warner Tyres on the island, said there had been initial compliance issues when he first undertook to build-in under his two-storey island house.

However, Mr Warner said he had spent the past eight months working closely with the council to ensure “100 per cent compliance”.

“I admitted to everyone that I had done the wrong thing at first without all the approvals,” Mr Warner said.

“But all the building that was done was done legitimately using legitimate materials and then retrospectively I got in an engineer, a draftsman, a town planner and worked with the council.

“The works now have all been certified legitimately and I’ve spent the past eight months working with the council to make sure all works are up to scratch.

“It is not a six-bedroom house, it is a three-bedroom house and I am allowed to have a home business on my property that is under 60 sqm and this and the sewage have been approved.

“My house and home business are fully approved and all I am waiting on now is a final inspection.”

Redlands Community News does not suggest Mr Warner has engaged in any wrongdoing, only that Mr Williams has raised concerns about the council.

An excerpt from a letter to Darryl Williams from Redland City Council referencing his complaints about building approvals on the bay islands. Pictures: Contributed

Mr Warner said he believed he had been unfairly treated by Mr Williams, who was his neighbour on the island after a falling out following the installation of an airconditioning unit by Mr Williams’ son in 2021.

Mr Williams said he believed he was being victimised because he was doing his job.

“Redland City Council has turned a blind eye to construction on the island and has allowed a number of buildings that do not meet environmental and plumbing standards to proceed,” Mr Williams said.

“I made my complaint because the islands are struggling under a population boom with the council infrastructure not being able to keep up and environmental issues.”

Redland City Council said it had consistently acted on the resident’s claims and had investigated several complaints related to the matter over the past year.

The council said some of the complaints were still under investigation but relevant building and planning approvals were in place and had been abided by.

“With respect to plumbing and drainage, the council is satisfied that relevant current approvals are in accordance with Queensland legislation and appropriate Australian Standards,” the council said.

“Council is investigating the Public Interest Disclosure in accordance with legislative and other relevant requirements and will advise the complainant of the outcome.

“Concerns about environmental issues in this matter should be raised with the Queensland government’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.”

In a letter to Mr Williams this month, the council’s Ethics and Integrity Service Manager acknowledged receipt of the complaint.

A QBCC inspector has lodged an official complaint about building and plumbing approvals on Russell Island. Picture: Judith Kerr

“The allegations about the building works and use of the property are currently the subject of an active investigation by Council’s Development Control Unit and as you have been advised by members of that unit you will be notified of the outcomes as they are determined,” the letter said.

Originally published as Russell Island QBCC inspector complains about building approval standards