By Gill Cooper
Council will not commit to a full safety audit of other older, structurally-vulnerable buildings in central Geelong despite recent risks revealed at Belcher’s Corner.
Council’s planning director Joanne Van Slageren told the Indy there is “no statutory requirement for the City to conduct a proactive inspection regime”.
“The City’s municipal building surveyor conducts inspections on a complaints basis in accordance with the Building Act,” Ms Van Slageren said.
Council would “continue to inspect and assess buildings in response to complaints received from the community”, she said.
“Community safety is of paramount importance, and any building owners who have concerns about the condition of their building are encouraged to engage the services of qualified building practitioners to undertake an assessment.”
Meanwhile civil engineers were closely monitoring and managing the Belcher’s Corner site to mitigate any immediate risk to public safety, she said.
“Substantial specialty steel props have been installed and are checked daily, additional concrete has been poured into the footings around the beams and supporting the retaining wall.
“These measures currently are effective and the building is deemed to be stable by civil engineers.”
Ms Van Slageren said council continued to work with all agencies including Barwon Water and VicRoads and building owners “to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities to maintain their property to ensure public safety at all times.”
She said recent issues at Belcher’s Corner Building served as a “good reminder for all building owners to check the structural integrity of their building, particularly those who own older buildings”.
“This includes having appropriately qualified experts check foundations, retaining walls, support pillars and beams, framework and cladding.
“Assessing and maintaining the structural integrity, condition and safety of a building was in the first instance the responsibility of the building owner.
“The City will continue to work with building owners throughout the municipality to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities.”
She said that while utilities would be disconnected from Belcher’s Corner, it was “unlikely that utilities outside the property boundary will be affected”.
Barwon Water ‘s infrastructure expert Shaun Cumming said he was satisfied that the demolition works at Belcher’s Corner would not pose any risk to water and sewerage infrastructure.
