Link to cracking Opal Tower sparks Melbourne building probe

Victoria’s building watchdog is putting Melbourne developments linked to the construction company behind Sydney’s cracking Opal Tower under the microscope.

Victoria’s building watchdog is reviewing Melbourne developments linked to the construction company behind Sydney’s cracking Opal Tower.

The Sunday Herald Sun has confirmed Icon Co projects, including a Docklands high-rise and Marriott hotel, will go under the microscope.

It comes after residents at the company’s Olympic Park tower in NSW were evacuated on Christmas Eve when concrete panelling started to crack.

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A state government spokeswoman said the Victorian probe was already under way.

“Victoria’s peak principal regulator, the Victorian Building Authority, is now reviewing all open building permits naming Icon Constructions as the builder in Victoria,” she said.

the Opal Tower at Sydney Olympic park. It has been closed since structural damage and cracking occured. Picture: John Appleyard

Icon has a string of projects due to be completed this year and next; its $250 million Docklands project will include a Marriott hotel with 200 rooms.

The hotel — the first Marriot to be built in Australia in 20 years — will include an infinity pool on the 15th floor.

Student accommodation, a Richmond office block and apartment complexes in Abb­otsford and South Yarra are also among Icon’s projects.

Icon managing director Nick Brown said the firm had not been notified of the review. “In the event we are advised in the future, we will, of course, work constructively with them,” he said.

“All of our builds in Victoria have been through dual structural certification and are safe for occupation.”

The developer behind The Docklands apartment and Marriott hotel tower, Capital Alliance, backed Icon.

“Icon is a still a reputable builder in Victoria,” Capital All­iance founder Mohan Du said.

“What has happened in Sydney is very unfortunate and we do need an investigation to get the answers of what happened.

“I don’t think that’s a reflection of how their business operates out of Victoria — the checks and balances, having to cross the Ts, is also very different in Victoria.

“I can’t imagine anything like that happening here given how stringent we are.

“I still think Icon will deliver a landmark building, as they have done in the past and will continue to do in the future.”

The review is expected to take about a month.

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@moniquehore