By Helena Adeloju
Residents, developer and even the builder say it was a messy project …
A six unit development has become Berwick’s very own building nightmare.
Neighbouring residents are outraged, and both the developer and builder say the property has been among their worst building experiences.
Residents say the 38-40 Brisbane Street development has taken four years to complete and are so outraged that they are calling for the builder to be banned from working in Casey.
The developer has hit back saying residents had left their complaints too late and that if he had known of problems sooner he could have spoken to the builder.
But the builder has said that delays were not his fault and that changes to financial arrangements had meant the project had taken longer than expected.
Brisbane Street resident Margaret Edwards wrote to Casey council recently on behalf of 14 other residents who support her Save Brisbane Street Campaign.
In her letter she said that work vehicles had caused “dangerous traffic hazards,” tree protection zone requirements have been “abused,” Bobcat machinery has been operated out of permitted work hours, neighbouring property has been damaged and “a stand of Tuscan pines” were removed from the property without permission.
Ms Edwards described herself and other residents as “dismayed” by the condition the site had been in and the “ugly” units.
Residents who spoke to the Gazette on Monday 3 March said the site was cleared and landscaped on Sunday 2 March but there had been builders’ rubble, chairs, plastic bins, bottles and tools littering the site previously. Some still remains.
Ms Edwards said residents were aware that the council had served notices on the builder but the warnings appeared to have been ignored.
“I’m really sad about what has happened,” she said.
“I’m hellbent on stopping it from happening anymore.”
Site developer Maher Assad said residents had left their complaints too late.
“The project is finished, all the landscaping, everything,” he said.
“It would have helped if they had put their complaints earlier,” Mr Assad said.
“I could have put some pressure on the builder.”
Mr Assad said that the builder was responsible for “this mess” and described the building process as “a very bad experience”.
RT Better Homes Site Advisor Ami Taam was responsible for the building works on the site.
He said residents have made a big deal of the development at the Brisbane Street site.
“I think they exaggerate,” he said.
Mr Taam said that he voiced his opinion that the modern style of the buildings didn’t match the street before building began, but said whether the residents like the look of the units was a matter of taste.
“I hope their impression will change,” Mr Taam said.
“They have the right to dislike the look and style of the design but not the building process or the time it takes.”
He said site litter was “part of the building process” and does not recall machinery operating outside permitted work times.
Mr Taam also explained that the build would have usually only taken one year to complete but bank changes to the financial arrangement for the development had caused the delay.
He said that of the 250 dwellings he had built in the past nine years, the Brisbane Street experience was one of his “worst challenges”.
City of Casey Manager Statutory Planning and Building Services Duncan Turner confirmed that the development has been the subject of investigation by the council.
“There remain a number of outstanding and non-compliant issues with the development that require the owners’ and developers’ attention,” he said.
“Council is working with the developer to have the development completed satisfactorily and will continue to pursue the matter to ensure the owner and developer meet their obligations.”
Ms Edwards said Brisbane Street residents will continue to battle similar development proposals that they don’t believe reflect “the unique neighbourhood character of this part of Berwick”.
“We will continue to speak out against poor development in Brisbane Street,” she said.
Given that proposals for double storey developments along Brisbane Street continue to be put forward, Ms Edwards said residents’ worries are valid.
“The major concerns are overdevelopment, loss of privacy, loss of vegetation, increased traffic, increased street parking and loss of value to homes,” she said.
Ms Edwards maintains that she is not opposed to development but said she cares deeply about how it is carried out.
“My concern is that the council is not encouraging a diversity of dwelling type,” she said.
*Third World Work Zone, Letters, page 8.
