Defective Apartment Buildings – Why ?

The Beagle Editor,

As a retired Building Inspector from Local Government I would not buy a home unit in Sydney which was built in the last three decades. It might crack or burn. Around that time the state government bowed to pressure from their developer mates to reduce red tape in Local Government which traditionally inspected buildings under construction.
 
 Independent Structural Engineer's reports were requested to certify certain areas of load bearing construction and fire ratings of materials were checked.
 
 Against strong advice and objection from Local Govt and related professional organisations, the state government gave the green light to developers to engage someone else to approve stages of construction.
 
 This was effectively Self Certification and there was a risk that an independent certifier would approve work in order to get the next job. No doubt some acted professionally and with integrity. However, now we have unsalable units in Sydney and unit owners homeless and expected to pay for repairs.
 
 The government and developers responsible should be forced to pay compensation. It's the tip of an iceberg .
 
 Gary Smith.
 Tuross Head.
 
 

Above: "yes, I can see the crack in the facade from here. Hope you are insured?"