Cheap imported glass replacement may cost $18 million at Grocon project

The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) reports that the replacement of sub-standard glass at the 150 Collins St building project by Grocon may cost $18 million. Grocon has revealed that it has to replace half the glass in the $180 million building. The glass came from Chinese supplier, China Southern Glass.

Michael O’Connor, CFMEU National Secretary, said the use of cheap imported building supplies was increasing, and it was only a matter of time before it became a serious danger to the public. According to Mr O’Connor, had Grocon chosen better quality local glass to begin with, not only would it have created more local jobs but it could have avoided this expensive mess.

He criticised the influx of sub-standard imported building products in the market and complained that regulators were asleep at the wheel while too many developers chose cheap and dangerous over quality and safety.

A recent report by the Australian Industry Group found that 92% of building and construction businesses had substandard products in their supply chains, and nearly half (45%) had suffered financially because of such products. Products that do not meet National Construction Code standards are widespread across the building and construction sector, especially steel, electrical, glass, timber and aluminium products, according to the report.

At the Parliament Square project in Tasmania, developers are under pressure to not choose inferior Chinese glass, and instead source higher quality and locally made glass.

Around the country, the use of sub-standard building materials has resulted in expensive and potentially dangerous safety and quality compromises: 200 panes of glass have fallen from the Waterfront Place building in Brisbane; The ASIO Government building in Canberra lost some 21 panels; Windows had to be replaced in a 24-storey development in Perth with conforming products; Melbourne's 'Melburnian' apartment block faced a repair bill of $9 million after nine panels of glass failed.

The CFMEU is calling on the Federal Government to honour its election commitment to ensure imported building products complied with Australian Standards. The Senate inquiry looking into Commonwealth Procurement Procedures is due to report on June 30.

Source: InfoLInk