MERITON sets itself apart from ‘The Rest’ with its ‘Viciniti’

IS Old Harry seeking to set his apartment developments apart from ‘the rest’?

With ‘Viciniti’ in Cottonwood Crescent, Macquarie Park?

THERE have been so many negative headline print and television media reports across the country and overseas about Australia’s defective residential apartment developments could Meriton now be seeking to capitalize, and exploit such an opportunity?

AND it will cost less in not having to deal with the Building Commissioner … having to redress the Mess … and the unfavourable PRESS!

AS with this sample lot here!

Toplace Group (incl. Parramatta Rise, Riviera Apartments, Skyview Apartments Castle Hill, Vicinity in Canterbury) … Ecove (Opal Tower) … Ganellan … 82-84 Belmore Street Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Holdmark GroupMerhis Group …  Four of the five developer companies were deregistered … BBC Developments (Station Road; by former Clr. Ronney Oueik; with fire safety issues and the roof blew off!)

JB Elias Pty Ltd owned by Hanna and Susie Elias continue with Sydney projects (Mascot Towers) … Brookfield Multiplex (Chelsea tower) 16-30 Bunn Street, Pyrmont  (original builder: BJ Metro Pty Ltd, was deregistered in 2008) … Palermo, Baywater and Savona Drive, Hill Road and Nuvolari Place, Wentworth Point, Sydney …

Payce Consolidated (Palermo) …  Raad Groupalso known as Lansari (Centenary Park) …  Meriton* (World Tower; Regis Towers in Castlereagh Street, the Summit in George Street and the Mirage in Bunn Street, Pyrmont) … DeiCorp (Star Printery)

In its Promo with ‘Viciniti’ Meriton has the pick of locations in Cottonwood Crescent beside Wilga Park, the Cottonwood Reserve and Shrimptons Creek.  Two 12 storey luxury suites, and a state of the art childcare centre!  Unlike Meriton’s ‘Destination’ with its view of the M2!

‘Viciniti’ is close to Macquarie Shopping Centre, the Metro, University and a private hospital! In the midst of a business and commercial park, and traffic too!

How many walk-ups have MERITON now eyed-off, and bought-up in and around Cottonwood Crescent?

For those not in the know … MERITON can advertise it won the Property Council of Australia’s  (the PCA) Best Mixed-use Development for 2020!  That is the Federal Property Developer Lobby Group where they’re all Mates, and Sc.mmo wrote their policy before he entered politics …

WHAT has prompted MERITON to push its 100% Australian owned?  Could it be a ‘pang of conscience’? Throughout this deve-loper Building Boom in residential apartments thousands of home buyers have been left bereft indebted far beyond their mortgage, and unable to on-sell their homes due to not only structural issues but defective materials …

THERE maybe a cost saving here for Meriton to build with ‘Australian Made’ with shipping delays due to the Pandemic, the likelihood of more of them, and Scomo’s War with China … and with Australia having imported for decades now … inferior and defective overseas made inflammable cladding, fixtures, fittings, electricals, plumbing that do not meet Australian Standards or the Building Code.  Has this finally proven to be a false economy?

WHAT $$ does it come down to for ‘The Buyer’?

For a one bedroom apartment a range from $670,000 to $755,000 … Off the Plan one bedroom one bathroom, air conditioning, gym, indoor spa and more!

one bed with parking from $875,000 to $910,000 with a study, secure parking, air conditioning and more

Two bedroom apartment from $990,000 to $1,220,000 with two ensuite bathrooms and more

Three bedroom apartment from $1,340,000 to $1,670,000

Four bedroom apartment from $2,150,000 to $2,205,000

Where will the Buyers come from? Will HT bring in more migrants from Hong Kong … Singapore and …

AUSTRALIA NEEDS A PAY RISE!

OPAL Tower Builder denies involvement in Rosebery apartment complex found with defects!

the outside of a block of apartments
The company ordered to fix defects at Rosebery’s Otto apartments denies any links to the complex.(ABC News: Simon Amery)

Corroding balustrades which pose a “threat of collapse” are among the many defects found in an apartment complex in Rothchild Avenue ROSEBERY in Sydney’s south!

  • Icon Co (NSW) Pty Ltd was issued with an order to fix defects at its Rosebery complex last Thursday
  • In June, the project’s two developers, Capital Corporation and HILLSONG Church’s property branch — Sydney Christian Life Centre — were the first to be hit with orders to rectify the defects.
  • But Icon Co is now facing an order of its own with the Office of the Building Commissioner deeming it also responsible, as it purchased the apartment’s builder, Icon Constructions Australia, and shared its directors for the last five years. 

READ MORE!  

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-11/opal-tower-builder-denies-link-to-rosebery-otto-complex-defects/100355622

New Condamine Street Manley Vale Apartment Development latest to be handed Orders by Building Commissioner

ATLAS CAPITAL & EQUITIES, the developer of the building on Condamine Street in Manly Vale, was handed orders on Monday to rectify defects in the complex’s waterproofing and car-stacking system.

issued a prohibition order that prevents it from settling with buyers of off-the-plan apartments

– Inspectors found that serious defects could arise from waterproofing of balconies and the installation of a system that stacks cars

-and determined that a lack of safety measures for the stacker could result in serious injuries

From a Commentator:

‘NEVER, no matter what the inducement, buy an apartment off the plan. Wait until construction is completed and an occupation certificate has been issued, and get a defect inspection done as well. It’s a small cost compared to the potential disaster if defects are cleverly concealed.’

READ MORE!

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/apartment-complex-in-sydney-s-north-latest-to-fall-foul-of-watchdog-20210720-p58bap.html#comments

After the Sydney Towers Cracked Up the Designers and Builders Act came into effect!

FOLLOWING the disasters of the Opal Tower and Mascot Towers and others … apart from the appointment of a NSW Building Commissioner, CAAN did a search to find out whether the legislation had been introduced in NSW requiring builders and designers to be registered.  This is what we found among the reports:

1 July 2020:

The Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 comes into effect – but is it designed right?

https://www.holdingredlich.com/the-design-and-building-practitioners-act-2020-comes-into-effect-but-is-it-designed-right

3 July 2020

New NSW legislation imposes obligations on construction industry and establishes new statutory duty owed to owners

https://www.claytonutz.com/knowledge/2020/july/new-nsw-legislation-imposes-obligations-on-construction-industry-and-establishes-new-statutory-duty-owed-to-owners

19 June 2019

The reasons why so many high-rise towers have faults

‘An explosive study into the poor quality of apartment buildings has found that new blocks are “plagued with defects”, with at least one found in 85 per cent of all buildings analysed.

Written by Deakin University’s Nicole Johnston and Griffith University’s Sacha Reid, the report found 97 per cent of buildings in New South Wales had at least one type of defect.

The figures were also worryingly high in Queensland (71 per cent) and Victoria (74 per cent).

“The concern is not that defects occur, they are inevitable,” the report said.

“The concern is the extent, severity and impact these defects have on buildings and their occupants.” ‘

READ MORE!

https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/property/2019/06/19/high-rise-tower-building-defects/

LIKE CAAN ON FACEBOOK!

https://www.facebook.com/Community-Action-Alliance-for-NSW-744190798994541/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

CAAN WEBSITE:

https://caanhousinginequalitywithaussieslockedout.wordpress.com/

Apartment Owners suing Sydney Developer TOPLACE over dozens of ‘Defects’ in near new Parramatta Buildings

APARTMENT OWNERS SUING SYDNEY DEVELOPER TOPLACE OVER DOZENS OF ‘DEFECTS’ IN NEAR NEW PARRAMATTA BUILDINGS

The Body Corporate of Riviera Apartments shortly after settlement launched court action for 45 types of defects!

Including corroding concrete, acoustic, fire and life safety, hydraulic, electrical and mechanical matters

-general building defects like incorrectly installed doors, concrete wall panels, expansion joints as well as bathtubs, hand basins and toilets

-other defects claims relate to the installation of plasterboard walls, waterproofing of bathrooms and defective installation of internal water pipes in the laundry

READ MORE!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-03/parramatta-apartment-owners-suing-sydney-developer/100185356?fbclid=IwAR2YP-41KOFeLxMA_-nBd3qZTrg1a5X9B1-5CU7bwa10h5d0eb-qIm4XKS0

Related article: Toplace is the same developer behind the $260 million Skyview towers complex in Castle Hill, currently under review.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-13/fair-traiding-finds-issues-at-major-sydney-apartment-development/100107048?fbclid=IwAR2XH_L29g0xV1O4S6je0jy2zhyehBnlOZmmB-8FRRUcGWHkZ631YuPbeJw

SEARCH CAAN WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK FOR EARLIER REPORTS ON TOPLACE, JEAN NASSIF, SARKIS NASSIF

CAAN WEBSITE:  

https://caanhousinginequalitywithaussieslockedout.wordpress.com/

LIKE CAAN ON FACEBOOK!

https://www.facebook.com/Community-Action-Alliance-for-NSW-744190798994541/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Leichhardt’s 181 Apartment Complex Plan Rejected

The Sydney Eastern City Planning Panel knocked back the redevelopment proposal for 40-76 William Street by Anprisa Pty Ltd, associated with Edward Doueihi, founder and director of Ceerose.

DESPITE the panel’s rejection, managing director Edward Doueihi confirmed that the company intends to progress the existing design for the project through the Land & Environment Court process. (AKA the Developers Court.)

READ MORE!

SOURCE:

https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/developer-refused-181-apartment-development-leichhardt

WITH a track record like that of CEEROSE could it be that those in Leichhardt may have many more reasons to object to the development of this apartment complex in their midst?

SOME RELATED ARTICLES …

Sydney Couple Paid $450K for Mould-infested Flat

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4331510/Couple-paid-450-000-uninhabitable-mould-infested-flat.html

Developer Ceerose fined $300,000 over Worker’s Spinal Injuries

https://m.hcamag.com/hr-news/company-fined-300000-over-workers-spinal-injuries-243699.aspx

A Beacon for Residential Development in Sydney

(Search for this report;  however some residents don’t share this view. At 2019, and in the 3 years since handover, the Owners had experienced basement flooding!)

https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/investment-strategy/property-news-and-insights/84357-ceerose-says-sydney-apartment-sales-have-slowed.html?fbclid=IwAR1YQW_n7cG8tgqA4CE6ic7SNWEUY1gsBmroKlRi9xfOdtj98fHiqNq43RA

Ceerose become landlords after Sydney apartment sales slowdown

2018 the absence of foreign buyers had left it with unsold apartments.

https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/investment-strategy/property-news-and-insights/84357-ceerose-says-sydney-apartment-sales-have-slowed.html?fbclid=IwAR1YQW_n7cG8tgqA4CE6ic7SNWEUY1gsBmroKlRi9xfOdtj98fHiqNq43RA

Greaton’s St Leonards South for 232 apartments … Homes a Thing of the Past

Among Greaton’s Partners is Builder CEEROSE … a company that has had issues raised concerning complaints of flooding and defective materials and workmanship!

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/greatons-st-leonards-south-plans-include-232-apartments/news-story/3a5abcda3e78eec52c15ea99d4749dcf

SYDNEY Building Mates have they Stitched Up Buyer?

DECODE … to remove or reverse standards it would seem?

‘The Great Australian Nightmare’ … after squirrelling away her pay cheques the lady put down a 10 percent deposit on an off-the-plan unit in the $52 million Peony Place development at Kellyville …

To discover the defects and demanded they be fixed or her deposit be refunded … the developer claimed the building was ticked off by a private certifier and would not budge!

-the private certifier was formerly part of Dix Gardner Group; which has had two certifiers banned

The developer, SHANGHAI-based BOILL Holding Group, enlisted local builder DECODE … it may be a good idea to note this and look out for other projects across Sydney … including the Lower North Shore!

A pre-settlement inspection revealed:

-the building did not comply with either the National Construction Code or Australian Standards

-the fire evacuation path and parking space did not meet minimum size requirements

-and there was insufficient drainage

OUGHT there not be immediate intervention by regulators when a Council confirms ‘considerable non-compliances’? 

WHY should home buyers be subjected to taking mounting legal action at their own expense?

NSW INC … cutting Red Tape and Deregulation … whose side are they on?

READ MORE!

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-building-nightmare-set-to-cost-maryam-her-life-savings-20210319-p57cb5.html

Work continues around the project on Gerbera Place, Kellyville.

IS there more to the new Building Reforms … than meets the eye?

THE NSW Building Commissioner will be able to issue stop work orders, order developers to rectify defective buildings and stop occupation certificates from being issued.

With three goals …

-the first to focus on the accreditation regime for designers

-the second to give insurers the confidence to ensure the work

-the third decennial liability insurance with 10 years coverage for defects for consumers

The new legislation has been described as complicated however, when companies contravene the legislation the directors and any involved in company management can be personally liable!  This may also be retrospective!

IT would seem due to community-wide awareness of the shoddy work of this Sector … with the word having gotten around … across the Globe … and the consequent pull-back that the TaskForce had to concede somewhat … and it could be this is as far as they have let the Commissioner get to …

Read more!

https://bit.ly/3gm4OLm

No photo description available.
CAAN Photo: development underway in Lindfield.

IS NSW INC going far enough to Stop Defective Development?

THIS Report in the SMH sounds good with the new NSW Building Commissioner, David Chandler having the power from 1 September 2020 to enter and inspect building sites, to prevent the issue of ‘occupation certificates’, and order work to be stopped!

However distraught home buyers/owners (*Constituents) have more to say about the system being stacked against them!!

A summary of their comments …

-the building commissioner should look at the ongoing issue of insurers fighting claims with the aim of wearing down claimants; the ongoing legal costs were going to exceed any forecast insurance payout; the payout has barely covered 50% of the real costs of remediation.

-deregulation and self regulation simply doesn’t work; Regulations exist for a reason

-the only real fix is to have truly independent supervising professional inspectors signing off at every stage of construction

-the introduction of self-certification by builders with final sign off by someone paid by the builder has always been dodgy.

-the use of substandard materials, bad building practices, mistakes and shortcuts have long been concealed by the time of final certification

-the buying off the plan system needs to be banned because the developers/builders can have millions in their pockets before they pick up a shovel and there is a wish to spend as little as possible of it on actual construction.

-will the shonky developers, builders and certifiers be named?  Future buyers need to know whose work to avoid

-the old Home Owner Warranty scheme should be applied to apartments; for the builder/developer to have enough money set aside for 5 years to cover defects

-nowadays they make huge profits shuffled to shelf companies and they are liable for nothing

-when a builder/developer goes broke they lose everything except their money

-is the ‘tough talk’ a NSW INC PR campaign to allow the industry to continue to build sub-par work at high profits (a 2-bed apartment costs $200,000 to build)

-will the list of dodgy developers/builders/certifiers be released publicly? Will on-going transparency reports be publicly made available?

-councils should be the only organisation to nominate certifiers

-what will happen when developers withdraw their political donations?

-could this NSW INC exercise be about restoring public interest in buying apartments?

-looks like it is about protecting the construction industry and investors rather than protecting home buyers from defective development

-when will criminal charges and gaol terms be imposed?

-why isn’t the government taken to task for privatising certification?

-now we have red tape + building defects + bankrupted home owners

READ MORE THEN SHARE!

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/signatures-for-sale-days-are-over-warns-sydney-s-new-building-commissioner-20200818-p55mur.html#comments

How long before NSW Home Owners unite to fight the Cladding Crisis?

Image may contain: sky and outdoor
CAAN Photo: Cladding material that may look like this in Meadowbank? Or it may appear to be more subtle?

CITY OF SYDNEY Homeowners are being hit with $25,000 bills to remove and replace combustible cladding

WHY are home owners in this predicament?

Wasn’t there a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry held into the regulation of building standards, and building quality?

Yes!  The reforms were designed to give homeowners who buy defective apartments an easier path to pursue damages.  A registration system and developers to be forced to comply with ‘declared’ building designs.

YET … the homeowner victims are being hit with the rectification bills?

DESPITE the final report to the NSW Government making a range of recommendations for flammable cladding including:

  • The need to disclose to potential buyers or renters when a building contains flammable cladding.
    .
  • That the NSW Government provide substantial funding for the rectification of buildings containing aluminium composite panels, and that these products be banned from the Australian market.
    .
  • That the funding the NSW Government provide for flammable cladding be proportionate to that of the Victorian Government’s $600 million.
    .
  • In circumstances where insurance has not provided a suitable solution to the flammable cladding issue, the NSW Government should take it upon itself to pay for the rectification of flammable cladding.

READ MORE from ‘NSW Parliament Report on Defects Crisis’

YET despite all of this … it is incredulous, isn’t it, that the perpetrators … those that own the housing development projects … continue, it seems, to get off ‘Scott free’?

… and NSW INC has now released a Second and Third Tranche of more Overdevelopment … and the Medium-Density Housing Code is to come into effect on 1 July 2020!!

Further this report, ‘It’s not fair: Sydney cladding crisis threatens to ‘crush families’ financially‘ reveals that NSW INC, it appears, due to decades of deregulation, have dodged a bullet because the new recommendations, it appears, are not retrospective!

View: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/it-s-not-fair-sydney-cladding-crisis-threatens-to-crush-families-financially-20200622-p554z8.html#comments

Image may contain: sky and outdoor
CAAN Photo: Or cladding material that may look like this?