LANDSLIDE NIGHTMARE
THESE million-dollar homes are just four years old yet for several Maudsland residents, their home ownership dream has turned into a nightmare. One onlooker described it as “like an earthquake zone’’ after recent rains and a high summer rainfall appear to have caused a ridge to collapse.
MILLION-DOLLAR homes only four years old are being abandoned, in-ground pools are sliding down hills and wooden decks are on dangerous tilts.
On a ridge in Maudsland, five houses have been evacuated in Greenvale Cres and another four below in Riverstone Crossing. Those lower properties are at risk of the higher homes collapsing.
Some of the hinterland properties are surrounded by security fencing and “Danger Keep Out” signs as developers, politicians and residents work out ways to a landslip likely caused by a localised surge in groundwater.
Homeowners are expected to be locked out for at least a year, unlikely to receive future insurance cover and face drops in property values.
The Bulletin has obtained photographs showing exposed slabs at the back of homes, leaving a 1.3m-long gap between the concrete base and the ground where soil has been washed away.
“It’s like an earthquake zone,” an onlooker said.
Some of the properties, which have views of the hinterland valley, were built four years ago and worth up to $1.3m. An excavator is operating at one to stabilise the area.
A Riverstone estate source told the Bulletin: “These residents started noticing things change on March 23 with the rain. Everything has deteriorated since then. The homes have become structurally dangerous. It’s like a natural disaster scenario.”
Worse still, some residents contacted the council after a smell started to fill the air in their yards. Gold Coast Water investigations found a sewer and stormwater line had failed due to the landslip.
“There was a smell coming from down below the properties. There was toilet overflow. They’ve put in a temporary sewer main,” a source said.
Stockland, which built the managed residential estate, have engaged surveyors to track ground movement, appointed a geotechnical engineer, offered engineering and fencing help and up to $550 a week in rental assistance.
Residents were told their belongings could stay inside but “do not enter the backyards of the affected homes”.
Stockland’s early investigations have shown “it is increasingly apparent that this event can be attributed to a landslip, caused by a localised surge in groundwater”.
“It is clear there is some correlation to the recent storm event and high summer rainfall totals. Groundwater levels in the slip area are quite considerable, particularly in the lower level of lots, with a head of water at over 3m above ground level under pressure,” the investigations revealed.
Residents were told a solution could take a minimum 12 months, and many are uncertain where they are going to live in the short term. If repaired, they will struggle to get insurance for their homes and values will be affected.
They suspect their properties have been built on a water course that covers an area of at least 50m, and the soil used to fill it was not controlled, meaning proper compaction could not be achieved.
A Stockland spokesman told the Bulletin: “We believe the event at Riverstone Crossing is attributed to a landslip, caused by a localised surge in groundwater after … significant rainfall. Our current data is showing that the slip area is not extending further.”
Stockland said it was “a difficult and uncertain time for property owners” who had been given support with temporary accommodation.
“We are in direct communication with affected households and have met with each and continue to talk through in more detail a longterm resolution that addresses the impact this event has had on them and their property,” the spokesman said.
Theodore MP Mark Boothman said he had met with the residents and on Friday was seeking a meeting with the office of the Deputy Premier to obtain help for them.
“For most of us our homes are our castles and it is our biggest financial investment,” Mr Boothman said.
“We have an expectation this investment is built on solid ground.
“When I first saw the damage to these properties I was truly shocked and I could see the utter devastation on the residents’ faces.
“Their lives have been turned upside down.
“Residents deserve adequate compensation to allow them to move on with their lives. This is not their fault and they shouldn’t have to bare added expense.”