Manningham Council’s MC Square found to have combustible cladding in review
Flammable cladding has been found on a council-owned building — which houses a kindergarten and community services including Doncare — a statewide review has found.
East
Don't miss out on the headlines from East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Flammable cladding has been found on a Manningham Council building — which houses a kindergarten and community services such as Doncare — a statewide review has found.
The Statewide Cladding Audit undertaken by the Victorian Building Authority, discovered MC Square Community Centre such as Doncare — home to Doncaster Kindergarten — contained the combustible aluminium composite panels.
Manningham Council assured the community on its website on December 24, there was no immediate risk or no need to stop service provision.
Ratepayers are set to foot the council’s almost $20,000 bill for the independent assessment and audit after the state’s building authority found a council building contained combustible cladding.
The Doncaster Rd building opened in 2012 and is also home to the Doncaster Library, the Manningham Art Gallery and function rooms, community and youth services, and the maternal child and health services.
The Victorian Building Authority notified the council about the cladding in January 2018 and advised there was no immediate risk to tenants or a need to close the square.
MORE: CLADDING SAFETY VICTORIA BOSS DAN O’BRIEN LIKENS FLAMMABLE BUILDING PANELS TO ASBESTOS
The council then hired an independent expert to inspect the building in April 2019.
Manningham city planning and community director Angelo Kourambas said the report was being prepared for the Building Appeals Board.
Mr Kourambas said any repairs at the square and their costs would be determined after the board responded to the report, which would likely be within six months.
MORE: COUNCIL CONFIRMS PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS
CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON HOTEL AND BUNNINGS
SWIMMING POOLS CLOSED DUE TO HAZE
“Our independent expert is in the process of submitting an application to the Building Appeals Board for consideration in bringing the building into full compliance with the Building Code of Australia,” he said.
“Any associated costs and actions would be determined once a response is received.”
The VBA was contacted for comment.