Key Takeaways:
- The $73 million public pool project in Kew Recreation Centre experienced a roof collapse in October 2022 due to low-quality imported Chinese steel.
- Laboratory test results from June 2022 showed that the steel did not meet Australian building standards and was too brittle and weak for structural use.
- The steel samples were found to be so poor that some did not even contain carbon, meaning they could not be classified as steel.
- ADCO, the Australian building giant, is being sued for its role in the collapse, with allegations of failing to check quality-assurance documents and erecting a non-compliant steel roof truss.
- The company is claiming that the design provided by the council was defective and led to the collapse, and is seeking damages and compensation.
Introduction to the Incident
The Kew Recreation Centre development in Melbourne, Australia, has been plagued by a series of issues, including a roof collapse in October 2022. The incident has led to a lengthy investigation and a series of lawsuits, with the Australian building giant ADCO at the center of the controversy. According to sources familiar with the construction project, the collapse was caused by the use of low-quality imported Chinese steel, which was found to be too brittle and weak for structural use.
The Steel Testing Process
In June 2022, ADCO sent eight steel samples to specialist metal testing company Ultratest to ensure they met Australian standards. However, the test results revealed that none of the samples met the required standards, and some were so poor that they did not even contain carbon, meaning they could not be classified as steel. The testing process was further hampered by ADCO’s failure to provide Ultratest with a copy of the ProFab mill certificate, which stated what the steel was supposed to be. This meant that the specialist testers had nothing to compare their results with.
ADCO’s Response to the Test Results
When asked about the steel test results in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in July, ADCO’s procurement manager, Richard Zhang, confirmed that the company had been aware of the inconsistencies in the steel. However, Zhang claimed that he could not remember the details of the documents and had only seen them once. The Age has also seen details of a December 2021 email sent by ProFab to ADCO, which included the inspection and test plan (ITP) report from Chinese officials. The report stated that the materials met Australian building standards, but the official paperwork did not include records of structural welding, nor the joins specified in approved plans.
The Lawsuits and Charges
ADCO is facing a series of lawsuits and charges over its role in the collapse. The company has been charged by Worksafe for failing to check the quality-assurance documents provided for an imported steel truss, and the BPC has hit ADCO and its nominee director John Conroy with 18 charges, claiming that the company knowingly erected a steel roof truss containing four spliced sections, instead of a single length of steel as required under its building permit. ADCO has filed a new lawsuit claiming that the design provided by the council was defective and led to the collapse, and is seeking damages and compensation.
The Current Status of the Project
Construction has resumed on the project, which is progressing. The City of Boroondara has not been charged over the collapse, but a spokesperson said that the council could not comment about the ADCO civil action because the matter was before the courts. The council has stated that it looks forward to delivering a new Kew Recreation Centre for its residents and is working to ensure that the facility is built to expected standards.
Conclusion
The Kew Recreation Centre development has been plagued by a series of issues, including a roof collapse caused by low-quality imported Chinese steel. The incident has led to a lengthy investigation and a series of lawsuits, with ADCO at the center of the controversy. The company’s failure to check quality-assurance documents and its decision to erect a non-compliant steel roof truss have been widely criticized, and the company is facing serious charges and lawsuits as a result. The incident highlights the importance of ensuring that building materials meet required standards and that construction companies prioritize quality and safety above all else.
