Developer says Mascot Towers cracks ‘years old’

A developer has denied constructio­n work on its project damaged Mascot Towers.

Mascot Towers in Sydney. Picture: AAP

An apartment developer has lashed out at “uninformed and self-interested” claims that constructio­n work on its project caused damage to the neighbouring Mascot Towers in Sydney.

Aland Developments yesterday provided details of an engineer’s report on buildings surround­ing its Peak Towers project­. It said the report proved there were pre-existing cracks in Mascot Towers. Aland managing director Andrew Hrsto said “no basis in fact” existed for saying cracks in the decade-old Mascot Towers were linked to his company­’s work. He said the damage pre-dated work on Peak Towers by “several years”.

The company’s position contradicts claims just 24 hours earlier by NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who said Mascot Towers was “sinking” as a result of neighbouring construction work.

Mr Barilaro said the basis of his information was recent report­s handed to the NSW govern­ment indicating a “drop in water tables” had occurred during construction work next door.

He attributed “sinking” to “differential settlement” of the land mass beneath Mascot Towers.

The NSW government has flagged tougher regulation of the building industry in the wake of damage discovered at Mascot Towers and also at the Opal Tower at Olympic Park in ­Sydney’s west earlier this year.

NSW Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson said he wanted industry feedback before the introduction of legislation to impose a “duty of care” on developers permitting home owners to seek compensation in cases of negligence.

 

The legislation will also require­ all those involved in the building industry, including designers, ­architects and engineers, to be registered with appropriate skills and insurance so they can be held accountable. A new building commission would also be ­appointed with powers to investigate and take disciplinary action.

A company linked to the Sydney­-based Elias family is responsible for Mascot Towers. Besides Mascot Towers, which was first submitted to the formerly named Botany Council for development approval in 2004, companies owned by Hanna Elias, Sarkis Elias and other family members have been responsible for the construction of residential units or townhouses in Hillsdale, Botany, Gymea and Sutherland.

The most recently approved site, a 69-unit project at 278 Bunneron­g Road, Hillsdale, which real estate records show is owned by Hanna Elias, received construction approval last year.

Others are the Loxley Apartments at 1421 Botany Road, Botany, formerly the site of Botany RSL and bought by a company owned by Sarkis Elias in 2010. He later won approval for the development of 19 apartments by another­ company he owned.

The Australian made repeated attempts to contact Hanna Elias yesterday, without success. Sarkis Elias told The Australian he had no comment. “I have nothing to do with the tower other than my name is on the deed,” he said.

Aland said it had engaged Australian Consulting Engineers to carry out a pre-construction “dilapidation report” of buildings surrounding its Peak Towers project­, including Mascot Towers­, before work began.

The company issued photos taken of Mascot Towers showing significant cracks and other possible damage that were considered “several years” old.