Follow up action on Mount Waverley landslip site

Published on 29 April 2016

Council welcomes the Victorian Building Authority’s announcement of action it has taken following its investigation into a landslip at a Mount Waverley construction site.

The landslip, which occurred at 170-174 Highbury Road last July, threatened adjoining properties and caused traffic disruption.

The VBA has referred four people involved in the excavation works to the Building Practitioners Board for an inquiry. The four people referred to the inquiry are the builder who carried out, or arranged for the building work to be carried out, and private practitioners who were involved in the excavation work.

Monash Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Andi Diamond said Council appreciated the thoroughness of the Victorian Building Authority’s investigation.

“Council is pleased that the Victorian Building Authority has taken this matter seriously, as the landslip was of concern to many members of our community,” Dr Diamond said.

“It is important that the wider community can have confidence that building works will be undertaken in a safe manner,” she said.

“We hope that the eventual findings of these investigations and inquiries will be taken on board by the Victorian building industry and all relevant authorities and practitioners, so a situation like this one doesn’t happen again.”

The hole at the construction site was backfilled in August 2015 and the site made safe.

Two townhouses adjoining the site had to be evacuated following the landslip collapse. The second townhouse to the rear of the property sustained structural damage.

The townhouses have been made safe. They remain fenced off and unoccupied until reconstruction work has been completed by the owner.

Media Contact: Jo Robertson 0418 391 979 or email Joanne.Robertson@monash.vic.gov.au