Kew Recreation Centre builders, ADCO Group and Colab Building Tech front Melbourne court after roof collapse
Two Melbourne building companies have faced court after the steel roof structure of the new Kew Recreation Centre collapsed with a thunderous bang.
Inner East
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Two Melbourne construction companies have been slapped with charges by WorkSafe after the steel roof structure of the new Kew Recreation Centre collapsed.
ADCO Group and Colab Building Tech fronted the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday for a filing hearing.
They were both charged with one count of failing to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that a workplace under its management or control was safe and without risks to health.
The two companies were contracted to work on the $73m redevelopment of the Kew Recreation Centre that was due to be completed in 2023.
The steel roof structure collapsed in October 2022 although no one was injured.
Neighbours said the roof collapse sounded like an “explosion” or a “massive car accident”.
WorkSafe charged the builders after a two-year investigation.
The prosecution will allege it was reasonably practicable to have a competent person check the quality assurance documents provided for an imported steel truss to ensure that it had been welded in accordance with the design drawings and fabrication requirements.
The companies will next appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on February 24 for committal hearing.
Construction of the new recreation centre was halted after the roof collapsed.
In September, Boroondara Council unanimously passed a resolution that empowered it to take any step necessary to ensure the completion of the project one way or another.
ADCO group, who remains responsible for the build, notified the council that a contract was signed for procurement of the structural steel required to rebuild the structure.
Works are scheduled to begin again on the site by December 17, after the demolition was completed to remove the collapsed steel.
The new centre will include a learn to swim pool, a warm water pool, an aqua play area, an onsite childcare, indoor sport courts, a cafe and more.
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