Opal Tower residents forced out again as investigations continue

Hundreds of fuming residents from Sydney’s Opal Tower were forced to evacuate for the second time to allow for a broader investigation into other wall panels in the high-rise. Builders now need to smash open walls to examine 16 other precast panels.

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Hundreds of fuming residents from Sydney’s Opal Tower were forced to evacuate for the second time in four days to allow for a broader investigation into other wall panels in the high-rise.

Builders now need to smash open walls in the 36-storey building to examine 16 other precast panels like the one at the centre of the fault.

In a shock announcement yesterday afternoon, tower builder Icon told more than 300 residents they would have to leave the building for at least 10 days while they investigate the cracking of a panel on Christmas Eve.

Representatives of the builder inspect Opal Tower before residents were evacuated for the second time. Picture: Toby Zerna

Icon state director Julian Doyle addresses the media and residents at a press conference. Picture: Jordan Shields

New vision has emerged of another crack in Sydney's Opal Tower. Picture: Channel 7

“We’ve had the opportunity since then to go in there and investigate the incident on level 10 and put in place back propping there to be able to deal with that issue and now we want to continue to investigate that same detail that replicates itself in about 16 locations around the building,” Icon state director Julian Doyle said.

An upset resident (left) asks questions of Icon state director Julian Doyle at the press conference. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

The Daily Telegraph has been told the panels were all part of the same batch made by the manufacturer of the cracked panel, Rooty Hill’s Evolution Precast.

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When the Telegraph called the company last night a man who answered said “no comment” before hanging up the phone.

Angry residents said they were scared about the building’s safety, following the second shock evacuation.

Resident Desla Daryaei said the incident had taken an emotional toll.

“I’ve had to pay $40 just for breakfast at a hotel, I don’t have half of my belongings and even my real estate agent didn’t know what was happening until he saw the news a few days ago,” she said.

“Of course I’m scared, everyone is scared.

“I’m glad I haven’t been staying here but others are having nightmares.”

Resident Bill Badie, 28, who lives on level 11 with his best friend, took a photo of new cracks which appeared days ago in a wall on his floor.

“It’s terrifying obviously — that’s why I’m moving out,” he said.

“It’s in the lobby of level 11 where the entry is to apartments near the front door.”

The building is being inspected after the residents were told to move out again. Picture: Toby Zerna

At a fiery meeting Mr Doyle said he could not guarantee residents would be allowed back in 10 days.

“(Residents) need to leave now so we can investigate all parts of the building unobstructed, as quickly as possible,” he said.

“For us, (it’s about) getting the answer and determining what we need to do to not replicate what happened on level 10 and implement that as quickly as possible.”

Residents of Opal Tower are upset they have been told to leave their homes again. Picture: Jordan Shields

Residents demanded to know how long they would be out of their homes, why they were told it was OK to return after the first evacuation and what caused the cracks.

“If you still have concerns about the rest of the building and you want to investigate and move everyone out, why would you allow us to come back?” one man asked.

Mr Doyle said the initial evacuation was called by emergency services and this second move was called by the builder.

It is understood Planning Minister Anthony Roberts demanded the building’s developer Ecove resolve the problem during a phone call with two company directors.

Mr Roberts yesterday announced professors Mark Hoffman, the Dean of Engineering at the University of NSW, and John Carter, the Dean of Engineering at the University of Newcastle, would lead an inquiry into the debacle. The pair will be onsite in the early hours of this morning to start inspecting the damage.

The minister held an emergency meeting with planning bosses, including Secretary Carolyn McNally, in the early hours of yesterday morning. His spokesman said the re-evacuation was “incredibly disappointing for the residents”.

A number of cranes next to the Opal Tower building. Picture: Toby Zerna

Ecove director Bassam Aflak this morning said several engineering companies were verifying their work including an independent engineer retained by the Owners’ Corporation, which manages the building.

“We are appreciative of the government bringing in engineers from UNSW for oversight,” he said.

“Ecove’s approach to the issue is to be as transparent as possible, within the limits of expected business confidentiality. We’re pushing as hard as everyone else for information on what’s happened, and for speedy rectification.”

Mr Aflak said residents were being offered a “range of options” for accommodation as well as “financial support for living expenses”.

WSP has assured residents the building “is not in danger of collapse”.

In a statement to residents, the company said it was estimated an assessment of the building “may take 10 days” but said it would “provide more information in two days once more inspections have been undertaken.”

Icon said accommodation was being secured for all affected residents at nearby hotels and compensation would also be provided.

* Additional reporting Danielle Le Messurier

Originally published as Opal Tower residents forced out again as investigations continue