Disciplinary action for Lacrosse tower building surveyor

By Janet Spencer

The Age newspaper today featured an article on the Docklands high rise fire that occurred last year.  Buyer Solutions rehoused affected tenants who were shocked to have lived through the fire and had to find alternate accommodation urgently.

This article covers planned changes to how buildings are signed off by Surveyors and findings by the Victorian Building Authority.

“The building surveyor who signed off on the Docklands tower ravaged by a fierce cladding fire is facing disciplinary action after a lengthy investigation by the state’s building regulator.

The Victorian Building Authority will also refer the Lacrosse building’s architect to the Architects Registration Board.

In November 2014, a blaze sparked by a cigarette on the balcony of an apartment created a fire that ripped up the facade of the 23-storey tower in a matter of minutes.

A fire brigade investigation later concluded that highly-combustible, non-compliant cladding installed on the outside of the building had helped fuel the rapid spread of the fire.

On Wednesday afternoon the building authority said its “extensive investigation” into the Lacrosse tower confirmed that the design of the external walls did not comply with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia.
It will allege the registered building surveyor, Anastasios Galanos, who works for Gardner Group, could not have been satisfied that the building work would comply with the Building Act and regulations when he issued the building permit. It said he therefore “failed to carry out his work in a competent manner and to a professional standard””.

At Buyer Solutions, we welcome any changes to the building industry that improve safety for occupants of any dwellings and commercial properties.
Read more: https://www.theage.com.au/victoria/disciplinary-action-for-lacrosse-tower-building-surveyor-20160323-gnpkkt.html#ixzz43mJQ2pEO
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To discuss how this may impact your property sale of purchase and for independent advice on buying or selling real estate, contact Buyer Solutions +61 3 9816 8555 or email jspencer@buyersolutions.com.au

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