Investigation after tradie Daniel Baresic finds structure strangely covered in ratchet straps on top of The Oracle tower at Broadbeach
"While the general public may not be aware of the risks being taken, our tradies know. That’s why they are acting as whistleblowers." SEE THE VIDEO AND PICTURES
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THE metalworkers union has lashed out at dozens of ratchet straps used on a structure atop a 130m Gold Coast skyscraper.
A tradesman last week revealed the tie-downs while working on the 40-storey Oracle Hinterland Tower roof.
The structure stretches across the penthouse and bears signs of rust in parts.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors have since issued six notices amid a multi-agency probe.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union Queensland and Northern Territory state secretary Rohan Webb said it was campaigning to have quality of structural steelwork more strongly regulated due to significant risk that poor workmanship could cause catastrophic damage or kill someone.
“There have been a number of high-profile instances recently where poor-quality workmanship has been identified by tradies working in close proximity and as a result, authorities have intervened and issued stop work orders,” he said.
“Instances include the new Townsville Stadium, and now The Oracle.
"While the general public may not be aware of the risks being taken, our tradies know. That’s why they are acting as whistleblowers.
"The AMWU is frequently called by our members concerned about corners being cut and dodgy work being done which could lead to fatalities.
“When a structural steel element fails, there can be catastrophic consequences.”
The AMWU has become aware of steelwork being imported from China.
“Unfortunately, the quality of workmanship on overseas products is often inferior and does not meet the Australian Standards,” Mr Webb said.
“Our members tell us they are frequently required to repair the work before it can be erected.”
The Oracle probe, involving the QBCC and Gold Coast City Council, is ongoing ahead of a meeting between WHSQ and the body corporate management.
Questions sent to Body Corporate Services for the committee remain unanswered.
AUTHORITIES TAKE ACTION AFTER SHOCK SKYSCRAPER FIND
AN INVESTIGATION into the use of ratchet straps on a structure perched atop one of the Gold Coast’s tallest towers has resulted in six notices being issued by safety inspectors.
But Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) has been tight-lipped about the reasons for the notices amid the multi-agency probe at Broadbeach’s The Oracle Hinterland Tower.
Gold Coast City Council and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission said last week they were also involved in investigations.
On Wednesday, a tradie working on the roof of the 40-storey skyscraper provided images and a video of dozens of tie-downs wrapped around the structure which is rust-stained in parts.
The investigation was revealed after WHSQ visited the site later that day.
Questions have been sent to Body Corporate Services, but it has not yet provided comment on behalf of the tower’s body corporate committee.
WHSQ issues notices for reasons including improvement, prohibition and infringement. Late on Friday, a spokesman said: “Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is continuing its investigation into the Oracle Tower site at Broadbeach.”
“Before a meeting with the body corporate management of the two separate towers on Tuesday, WHSQ has issued six notices, including two prohibition notices preventing any abseiling repairs from being done.”
It’s understood WHSQ does not believe repairs would be safe as abseilers wouldn’t be tethered properly.
It’s also believed the safety body was hesitant to reveal more information as it may foreshadow findings arising from the ongoing investigation.
Photos taken previously show the metal structure curving over The Oracle Hinterland Tower’s penthouse 130 metres high.
Grocon finished constructing the tower a decade ago.
COUNCIL JOINS PROBE INTO SHOCK SKYSCRAPER FIND
GOLD Coast City Council has now joined a joint investigation into a large metal structure propped on top of a Broadbeach skyscraper, which has been jerry-rigged with ratchet straps.
A tradie working on the roof of the 40-storey The Oracle Hinterland Tower sent a video and photos to the Bulletin of dozen of the tie-downs wrapped around the rust-stained structure.
Workplace Health and Safety and the Queensland Building and Construction launched a joint investigation at the decade-old tower after questions were put to them on Wednesday.
It was ongoing on Friday and no further comment was provided by the authorities.
The body corporate committee has also been quiet since Body Corporate Services was approached for comment on its behalf, and questions remain unanswered.
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Meanwhile, the council confirmed it has also begun probing the strange sight on top of the penthouse, which was on the market for about $5 million in January.
“The City has been made aware of issues relating to a building in Broadbeach and are investigating the matter as a priority,” a spokeswoman said.
In photos taken previously, the structure, thought to be decorative, is seen curving over the top of the 130m tall tower – minus the ratchet straps.
While the role of the straps has not yet been explained, readers were quick to voice their concerns on the Bulletin’s website and elsewhere.
“Clearly this needs urgent investigation by engineers. I do worry about these huge structures on top of buildings in ocean areas and the corrosion caused by the salt air,” one man wrote.
“How long have those straps been there and why are they there instead of the correct install or remedy?”
Another commenter said: “Imagine the destruction down below if one or more of those cross members came loose and fell 40 storeys, let alone the whole structure.”
“At least they performed a make-safe fix, I guess, with the ratchet straps but that whole structure needs to come down ASAP,” he said, adding it was “fairly obvious it’s not a structurally sound design”.
Another man joked: “Straps are decoration only.”
The joint investigation comes amid reports Grocon, which constructed the luxury twin towers, has fallen into administration owing up to $60 million.
PROBE LAUNCHED AFTER SHOCK SKYSCRAPER FIND
AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation after a tradie found a large metal structure bound by dozens of ratchet straps while working on the roof of a Gold Coast skyscraper.
The Bulletin reported Wednesday that Daniel Baresic came across the structure while working on top of the 40-storey luxury The Oracle Hinterland Tower at Broadbeach.
He provided photos and a video of orange tie-downs strapped across much of the rust-stained structure, which is believed to be in place for aesthetic purposes.
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Mr Baresic was baffled and spoke of the questionable “quality” of the structure: “Nice, huh? Strap-downs holding the f--king building down. Very nice. Quality. The whole structure.”
Construction on the $850 million Nikiforides Group twin towers finished just 10 years ago
The CFMMEU has speculated the straps were put in place to guard against 80kmh winds which battered the city in recent days, but organisers have not yet commented further.
Questions were put to both Body Corporate Services (BCS) for comment from the tower’s body corporate committee, and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).
Inspectors subsequently visited the site and WHSQ confirmed it had begun a joint investigation with the Queensland Construction and Building Commission (QBCC).
“A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspector visited The Oracle site at Broadbeach this afternoon,” a WHSQ spokesperson said.
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“Jurisdiction over the site is shared with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and a joint investigation is ongoing.
“As such, we are unable to comment further at this stage.”
A strata manager at BCS said: “We have forwarded a copy to the Committee representative of the body corporate for perusal and further instructions.”
“As Strata Manager for the above building we can only act when provided with specific instructions from the body corporate committee.”
No further comment has been forthcoming.
A QBCC spokesperson said: “The QBCC has not received any complaints about the building from the body corporate. It is too early to confirm what action, if any, may be appropriate.”
“The QBCC was alerted to this by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland yesterday, and will continue to work with WHSQ,” they said.
QBCC’s spokesperson pointed to Gold Coast City Council for more information.
The council has been contacted for comment.
EXCLUSIVE: SHOCK SIGHT ATOP ONE OF GOLD COAST’S TALLEST TOWERS
A TRADIE has raised the alarm after stumbling on a large metal structure covered in ratchet straps while working on top of a Gold Coast skyscraper.
Daniel Baresic provided two photos of the structure – believed to be for aesthetic purposed – which sits more than 130 metres above Broadbeach on top of the 40-storey The Oracle Hinterland Tower.
They show orange ratchet straps strapped across much of the structure, which is rust-stained in spots.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) visited the site Wednesday.
The CFMMEU has speculated the straps – numbering in the dozens – were put in place to guard against strong winds which have battered the Coast in recent days, reaching 80kmh.
In a video sent to the Bulletin, a flabbergasted Mr Baresic questions the “quality” of the structure.
“Nice, huh? Strap-downs holding the f--king building down. Very nice,” he exclaims.
“Quality. The whole structure.”
Body Corporate Services has been contacted for comment about the structure and the straps attached via the tower’s body corporate committee.
BCS was asked what the structure is on top of the tower and why it was covered with so many ratchet straps.
The Bulletin also queried whether the structure was safe and sound and whether the committee had any concerns.
The structure on top of the Oracle tower appears to be decorative.
Construction on the Hinterland Tower only wrapped up a decade ago.
The luxury $850 million Oracle twin towers were built by the late Con Nikiforides, of Nikiforides Group.
WHSQ has been contacted.
The CFMMEU (construction, forestry, maritime, mining and energy union) has also been approached for additional comment.
The concerns raised by Mr Baresic come after Gold Coast police were forced to shut off streets in Surfers Paradise on Monday after glass panels were blown from a shelter on the pool deck of the Circle on Cavill building.
Officers expressed concerns more loose panels could fall due to strong winds.
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