NSW Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman has announced the government will launch an investigation into the former City of Botany Bay Council’s handling of the Mascot Towers saga, nearly three years after residents were forced to evacuate the apartment block due to serious safety concerns.
“The purpose of this investigation is to focus on the role played by the former City of Botany Bay and to shine a light on any information it could reveal to prevent a similar situation occurring in the future,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“We are advised relevant Council documents from that period cannot be located and may be missing. We are determined to gather as much information as possible on the issues that led to the defects in Mascot Towers.”
Residents were forced to evacuate the 10-storey building back in 2019 over fears the building would collapse after cracks were found in the basement.
Meanwhile, the State Government has also announced an extension of the Mascot Towers accommodation assistance package – for a seventh time – following discussions this week with the Owners Corporation.
The extension of funding support for 12 months is contingent on the Owners Corporation lodging the appropriate documentation with the Supreme Court to terminate the strata scheme, said NSW Minister for Fair Trading, Eleni Petinos.
“I met with representatives of Mascot Towers Owners Corporation earlier this week and was informed that they will lodge documentation to terminate their strata scheme in the Supreme Court imminently,” Ms Petinos said.
“Given this undertaking, the Government is going to extend the accommodation funding support for a seventh time. The lodging of documents with the Court had been a condition previously placed on the fifth and sixth extensions.
“Subject to the necessary documentation being lodged in the Supreme Court, and evidence being provided to the NSW Government of such action, the Government will continue to back the owners and extend support again until 30 June 2023.”
