The NSW Building Commissioner, David Chandler OAM, has stopped work at 47 Thomson St, Kiama, and issued a scathing assessment of the quality of the work that has been undertaken by Saiyu Constructions.

Drawn to inspect the site by the number of SafeWork notices that have been issued since construction started, he said the audit team found, “The site exhibited displayed almost all of the features which have damaged the construction industry brand.”

The project will now be caught by the requirements of the Design and Building Practitioners Act, and will require redesign before work recommences.

SafeWork had just lifted a stop work order on the site the day before the visit, and a new stop work order was reinstated during the visit.

“The builder was quick to blame excavators, form-workers and concretors for the shocking standard of work on exhibit,” said Mr Chandler on LinkedIn.

“The site had been closed down a few months ago due to a seven metre collapse of the excavation, where the builder cited the Geotech engineer as having made a mistake in assessing the ground conditions.

“The reality was a lack of shoring and qualified supervision. Work was proceeding without the certifier’s consent.”

The visit showed obvious details on the engineering drawings had been ignored.

Mr Chandler said the project will now become a case study.

“The relationships between the developer, architect and builder will be investigated.

The proposed development

“A full report on how the project was planned and executed to-date, and the steps now needed to recommence construction, including the estimated cost and delays will be reported and made available on the NSW Building Commissioner’s website.

“This project reinforces the validity of all developers and builders getting an iCIRT rating to display on their sales brochure before consumers are exposed to signing up for projects like this.

“For those builders who still think that business as usual is OK for them, or that they may be out of sight, think again.”

Saiyu Constructions is currently completing a development in Barroul Place, Kiama, having recently completed a building in Manning Street. They have been contacted for comment.

47 Thomson St hit the headlines last year, when an old home was demolished just prior to Council granting it heritage protection.