51 units in Sydney high rise declared unsafe

A 36-storey residential building has been evacuated at Sydney Olympic Park after residents reported hearing "cracking noises". Image / opaltower.com.au

It has been a hectic start to Christmas for some high rise residents in Sydney Olympic Park after authorities declared 51 units unsafe following the failure of an internal wall.

Residents of a high-rise building at Sydney's Olympic Park endured a "frustrating" night after being evacuated from their homes amid a major safety scare.

The occupants of 150 units in a 392 unit complex were displaced after an internal wall in the 36-storey Opal Tower failed.

Many residents heard "cracking" noises at the brand new complex and raised the alarm — and a full evacuation followed as authorities scrambled to discover what was wrong.

Kiwi tourist Narissa Knight, 20, was left stranded in her bikini, as she was in the pool when the frantic evacuation began yesterday.

"We couldn't get anything, I was there in my bikini and no shoes on, nothing," she told the Daily Telegraph.

"I was walking through the mall and I'm like oh my God, I had my towel around me. It was so embarrassing."

Other residents have expressed their frustration with the situation.

"Even if it is safe, we're not going to be sleeping there," the Senior family told the SMH.

"How can you sleep in there thinking the building might collapse? You wouldn't be able to rest."

Fire & Rescue NSW Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) officers and specialist engineers worked with the building designers and building managers throughout yesterday and into the night to determine the integrity and safety of the affected floors.

"This is a large building and it's critical the safety of the residents comes first," said NSW Police Force Acting Assistant Commissioner Julie Boon. "Each affected floor is being assessed by engineers before we can determine if and when people can go back into their homes."

A temporary shelter had been set up at the Sydney showgrounds for those residents who had nowhere else to go.

Just after midnight on Christmas Day, residents of the units that had been declared safe were allowed to return home.

Residents of the 51 units that were deemed structurally unsafe were escorted back to gather their belongings. They have made their own arrangements for accommodation, NSW Police said.

Engineers and the building's managers remained on site.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Concerns were raised for the Opal Tower on Brushbox Street about 2.45pm yesterday, with occupants telling police they heard the worrying noises throughout the morning.

The building has shifted between one and two millimetres as a result of the issue, Police Detective Superintendent Philip Rogerson said.

But there has been no further movement detected on laser monitors deployed by emergency services.

Some residents had told authorities they were worried about their pets left behind in the building, but police said the number one priority was for human safety, the Daily Telegraph reported.

FRNSW is on scene with specialist equipment designed to monitor the building for any more movement. https://t.co/K14jrJhauA

— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) December 24, 2018

"In relation to pets, when we find them, they will be moved through the RSPCA to whoever we can locate tonight," Det Supt Rogerson said.

Numerous exclusion zones around the structure were established as authorities worked to establish if the building is safe.

Aerial footage by Seven Network showed fire crews setting up tents while police redirect traffic and pedestrians.

The website for the Opal Tower says the building has 392 apartments, commercial spaces, a childcare centre and community centre. It cost $165 million to build.

It was built by Icon Construction and developed by Ecove Group.

Exclusion zones remain in place, but nearby roads have reopened.

- with wires