Opal Tower report reveals 'structural design and construction issues'
5 years, 11 months ago

Opal Tower report reveals 'structural design and construction issues'

ABC  

The NSW Government's investigation into damage at Sydney's Opal Tower has found the cracked apartment block needs "significant rectification works". Key points: Engineers say there are damaged hob beams that require repair and strengthening The 392 apartments were evacuated on Christmas Eve when defects were found and residents heard cracks Residents say they don't want to live in a construction site and have described buying into the building as an "Australian nightmare" The building, which opened last August, was evacuated on Christmas Eve and again three days later after a large crack was found on level 10. The engineers behind Opal Tower, WSP, told the ABC on Tuesday remediation work would "fully restore the building". "WSP believes it is appropriate for most residents to return to their units," WSP Australian and NZ chief executive Guy Templeton said.

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History of this topic

Opal Tower builder Icon put aside $1 million for building defects but has spent $24 million so far
5 years, 4 months ago

Opal Tower builder Icon put aside $1 million for building defects but has spent $24 million so far

ABC  

Construction giant Icon claims it has spent $24 million since the evacuation of its cracked Opal Tower skyscraper, despite putting only $1 million aside as a "provision for defects". Key points: Fifteen owners are still locked out of their apartments as repairs continue The $24 million repair bill is expected to keep growing One expert says the amount put aside …

In Sydney's Opal Tower, 169 apartments remain empty almost four months after evacuation
5 years, 8 months ago

In Sydney's Opal Tower, 169 apartments remain empty almost four months after evacuation

ABC  

Almost half of the apartments in Sydney's troubled Opal Tower are still vacant, nearly four months after the building was first evacuated on Christmas Eve. Key points: Only 90 of the 392 apartments have been reoccupied since late February Resettlement was delayed due to pending engineering advice Many residents had vowed to never return after they were evacuated This means …

Opal Tower residents could wait months before repairs are finished
5 years, 10 months ago

Opal Tower residents could wait months before repairs are finished

ABC  

The owners corporation behind the Opal Tower says it has "many questions" to be answered before it approves a plan by the builder for repairs on the damaged building — meaning residents could be homeless for months. Key points: Icon, the builder of the Opal Tower, says repair work will take another four to six weeks The building's owners corporation …

Support beams made from dodgy materials COLLAPSED - causing the evacuation of hundreds
5 years, 10 months ago

Support beams made from dodgy materials COLLAPSED - causing the evacuation of hundreds

Daily Mail  

The support beams holding the 36-floor Opal Tower 'burst' because they weren't designed properly and were supported by under-strength concrete, an independent report has found. A final report into problems with the tower, conducted by engineering professors Mark Hoffman, John Carter and Stephen Foster, has found there was 'significant damage' to ten of the 36 levels and the building's basement. …

What lies beneath the cracks in Opal Tower — and buildings across Australia
5 years, 11 months ago

What lies beneath the cracks in Opal Tower — and buildings across Australia

ABC  

The saga of Opal Tower, the 36-storey Sydney apartment building evacuated on Christmas Eve after frightening cracking, has helped to expose the deep cracks in Australia's approach to building apartments. A case in point is NSW's new defects bond, requiring developers to put aside 2 per cent of the building value to fix defects down the track. That project only …

Opal Tower residents given all clear to start moving back in this weekend
5 years, 11 months ago

Opal Tower residents given all clear to start moving back in this weekend

ABC  

Some Opal Tower residents will be allowed to move back into their homes in the defect-plagued skyscraper this weekend, according to building company Icon Co. In a resident update issued last night, Icon said they "welcomed" the NSW Planning and Housing Department's independent engineering advice,. The tower's troubles prompted the NSW Government to announce a crackdown on "dodgy building certifiers" …

NSW Government to crack down on dodgy building certifiers following Opal Tower saga
6 years ago

NSW Government to crack down on dodgy building certifiers following Opal Tower saga

ABC  

The NSW Government has announced a crackdown on dodgy building certifiers as it tries to manage the fallout from Sydney's Opal Tower fiasco. Key points: Up to 30 per cent of certification work will be audited in NSW every year Corrupt certifiers or those who have negligently signed off on an unsafe building will be booted from the industry immediately …

Opal Tower Sydney crack sparks calls for broad apartment development inquiry
6 years ago

Opal Tower Sydney crack sparks calls for broad apartment development inquiry

ABC  

The crack in Sydney's Opal Tower — and subsequent evacuation — has sparked calls for an independent inquiry into the approval process across the NSW industry, with experts saying "corners are being cut". Key points: Most residents have now evacuated Opal Tower for engineers to investigate the source of the crack Experts are say the incident is 'not isolated', as …

Opal Tower Sydney evacuation sparks questions about the building industry — but not many answers
6 years ago

Opal Tower Sydney evacuation sparks questions about the building industry — but not many answers

ABC  

"Everyone is stunned … no-one has an explanation." Opal Tower developer and Ecove director Bassam Aflak A crack in a concrete panel on the tenth floor of a $165 million apartment development — sparking an evacuation and initial fears the Opal Tower itself might collapse — isn't supposed to happen in Australia. Part of a wave of apartment developments in …

Sydney Opal Tower crack photos emerge as NSW Government launches investigation
6 years ago

Sydney Opal Tower crack photos emerge as NSW Government launches investigation

ABC  

The NSW Government has ordered a "comprehensive investigation" into the structural integrity of Sydney's Opal Tower after a severe crack in the 34-storey apartment building forced a mass evacuation on Christmas Eve. Key points: Hundreds of residents are still homeless after Opal Tower was evacuated on Christmas Eve The tower was given the greenlight under special NSW Government legislation that …

Sydney Opal Tower at 'no risk' of collapse, but many residents still unable to return home
6 years ago

Sydney Opal Tower at 'no risk' of collapse, but many residents still unable to return home

ABC  

Emergency authorities have moved to reassure residents of Sydney's Opal Tower that the building is at no risk of collapse, after thousands of people were evacuated on Christmas Eve. Key points: Police say an internal support wall failed and a large crack appeared on the 10th floor of the tower Some residents are not yet allowed back home, but have …

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