Three near-new houses in Hobart’s northern suburbs, which were meant to be demolished in the last three months due to bad building work, remain untouched as their owners prepare to launch a legal battle against the local council.
22 properties at the McGill Rise housing development in Claremont were evacuated In 2021 following an audit of construction work and independent engineering advice that deemed the homes “uninhabitable.”
Earlier this year, the Glenorchy City Council ordered the owners of three affected houses to demolish them in 90 days on the basis they were structurally unsound.
Council’s General Manager Tony McMullen said the houses, which were “built on insufficiently retained building platforms”, are at risk of collapse – a risk that intensifies during periods of heavy rainfall.
“The 90-day demolition order period expires today,” McMullen said.
“Legal representatives for the owners and the developer have formally advised the council they intend to mount a legal challenge to the demolition.”
“This failing was not rectified by the private building surveyor engaged by the developer to sign off on the houses’ construction.”
“As a private building surveyor was used by the developer, the council had no role in inspecting the buildings as they were being built.”
“Shortly after the houses were tenanted, they developed significant building defects including cracking.”
“Investigations by engineers revealed the building platforms did not meet required standards and the buildings were declared unfit for habitation.”
McMullen said the council will now place safety fencing around the houses while it consider its legal options.
“Prior to the demolition order being issued, the council engaged with owners of these premises through their legal representatives in an attempt to have rectification work carried out, however, this did not occur.”
The council would not make any further comments due to “legal issues associated with this matter”.
