Balcony collapse to have ‘major implications’

Speaking on record, Ms Boskovski said the inquest into the matter is set to have “major implications” on the building industry going forward.

“This is likely to be a long and complex coronial inquest involving experts with engineering and building backgrounds, and we will hear from witnesses. The expert reports reveal significant differences in the construction of the balcony when compared to the approved building plans,” she said.

“Latent defects can be the most frightening and dangerous because you can’t see them. In someone’s home where you are living day to day, a latent defect can be catastrophic, as it was in this case.

“This inquest has been a long time coming, and if we can support the victims and their families with a common law claim, that will be an ideal outcome for them, given what they have been through.”

Ms Boskovski said the inquest is especially relevant, “given what we have seen in the building industry in recent times in terms of rogue builders, dodgy building certifiers (Opal tower in NSW) and unsafe building practises, including the use of flammable cladding”.

“Of the 17 or so who were injured and trapped after the floor boards collapsed beneath them, I am investigating public liability claims for six of them,” she said.

“They have suffered physical and psychiatric injuries.”