Icon Co in Melbourne gets the all clear from Victorian Building Authority

Victoria’s building watchdog has cleared several major Melbourne developments linked to the builder of Sydney’s cracking Opal Tower, with student accommodation and inner city apartment complexes among those given the ok.

Victoria’s building watchdog has cleared major Melbourne developments linked to the builder of Sydney’s cracking Opal Tower of similar faults.

The Victorian Building Authority launched a review of open building permits across the state that named Icon Co as the builder.

Icon Co has a string of projects due to be completed over the next two years, including the $250 million Docklands Marriott hotel, student accommodation and apartment complexes in Abbotsford and South Yarra.

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The review came after the 36-storey Opal Tower was evacuated in December when cracks were discovered in a load-bearing panel and hob beam.

Opal Tower on Monday 28/01/2019 Picture: Dylan Robinson

An independent report released in February found “construction and material deficiencies” likely caused the damage.

It blamed a poor-quality hob beam and panel assembly, which left the materials susceptible to bursting, and said some joints had only been partially grouted.

A VBA spokesman said the watchdog’s review found no similar issues in Victoria.

“The review included getting out on-site and inspecting buildings, auditing building permits, reviewing the history of building practitioners and asking the builder to demonstrate why the Opal Tower issues are not a problem in Victoria,” he said.

“The causes of damage listed in the NSW Government’s final report into the Opal Tower were not reflected on the Victorian projects assessed by the VBA.”

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