Dozens of privately-owned Adelaide buildings have been deemed high risk by a state government cladding audit.
Seven buildings are an “extreme risk” — requiring immediate action — and 21 are “high risk”, with recommended remedial action to be carried out within 12 months.
Two publicly-owned buildings were also deemed high risk. One is under construction and not accessible to the public, and the other one is an ablution block which will be remediated within weeks.
Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll said on Thursday:
“We have also been working with the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) throughout the audit process and they have developed heightened awareness and response procedures for the 28 buildings with unacceptable levels of risk.
“One of the two publicly owned buildings that have been deemed high risk currently has no public access as it is under construction and I’m advised once these works are complete it will reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
“The other publicly owned building is a small ablution block and I’m advised that remediation works are being carried out over the coming weeks.
“The interim report also shows there are 28 privately owned buildings that require remediation works, either immediately or within the next 12 months, and our priority is ensuring this is done swiftly.
“For privately-owned buildings, councils are responsible for ensuring that owners of private buildings in their jurisdictions take the necessary actions to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
“It is our expectation that building owners will notify occupants of their respective buildings and keep them informed throughout the remediation process as appropriate.
“The department will be working very closely with councils and building owners to ensure remediation works are carried out and these buildings meet the acceptable standard.
“In many instances remediation works will simply include removing ACP from around exits, firefighting equipment, within one metre of a balcony or from the first 3 metres above ground – relatively minor changes.
“Security and safety have always been one of the primary reasons that we do not reveal the exact locations of buildings with significant cladding issues in line with other states.
“As a government, safety is at the forefront of all our decisions and that’s why we will not be disclosing the exact locations.
“We will continue to update South Australians on how the remediation works are progressing as appropriate.”
