Loose iron ordered for removal
10 Gladstone St, Warragul. Ph: 5622 2611
An emergency order has again been served on owners of the former Bonlac factory site when a loose sheet of corrugated iron flapped in strong winds last Tuesday.
Baw Baw Shire municipal building surveyor Chris Carson served the notice at the site on Tuesday afternoon, after receiving notification from a community member that “roof cladding” had become loose and was breaking away.
The emergency order, addressed to owners Warren and Diane Turner, required them to secure or remove the loose roof cladding within 48 hours.
Mr Carson inspected the site before serving the notice. The emergency order stated the reasons were: “Roof cladding has become loose and is breaking away from the roof on the northern part of the factory tower building and is threatening to fall from the building onto adjoining land.”
Baw Baw Shire planning and economic development director Matthew Cripps said the Turners complied with the order within the required timeframe.
“Mr Turner notified council on Tuesday via telephone that the works had been carried out,” he said.
Mr Cripps said the matter was initially reported to council and building and regulatory staff inspected the site.
He said a further inspection was conducted late Tuesday afternoon to assess compliance with the order.
The Gazette has been told the matter also was reported to the Warragul State Emergency Service because of concerns about public safety.
An emergency order, issued by Baw Baw Shire five years ago because the buildings were deemed unsafe, has been supported by a Magistrates’ Court order but continues to be challenged by the Turners.
The Gazette last week reported that a new building order determining the condition of buildings previously declared unsafe, would have to be undertaken for the Queen St site.
Current magistrate court orders require buildings on the site at 121 Queen St to be demolished.
A recent Building Appeals Board decision has required a new building order to be issued for the site.
Mr and Mrs Turner presented expert evidence to the BAB that supported their claim that circumstances had changed and demolition of the buildings was no longer necessary.
The shire submitted to the BAB “there has been no change in circumstances that warrants removal of the emergency order.”
Mr Cripps said while the BAB decision cancelled the existing building order, it required a new building order to be issued that includes reports and recommendations from structural engineers, fire engineers, the CFA and asbestos consultants.
The matter is due back at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court next Monday.