City kids at risk from falling debris

BY LARISSA DI MAURO

Cigarette Butts, used condoms, tampons, underwear and even a syringe have been found at an outdoor children’s play area at World Tower in the city.

Owner and managing director of the World Tower Childcare Centre, Bruno Rossetto, said that between 500 and 600 cigarette butts are found on the playground each day.

‘Everyday there are falling objects,’ he said. ‘We have people that go around every hour collecting the rubbish.’

He estimates the total cost of removing the fallen rubbish as being in excess of $14 million.

Evidence of falling debris can also be seen on the makeshift tarpaulins, which are covered in holes from still-burning cigarette butts.

Although the building developer, Meriton, knew about the play area prior to construction, it appears no attempts have been made to ensure the design was safe for youngsters.

Having contacted the building’s strata manager, Mr Rossetto has also made verbal and written requests for an awning to be erected over the outdoor play area.

But Mr Rossetto’s requests have so far been ignored.

The body corporate’s indifference is evident in an email Mr Rossetto received on December 5, 2004. It reads: ‘Since you are an owner you are entitled to attend the meeting but not to discuss the matter unless invited by the chairman, Alex Dodd.\.’

World Square consists of seven privately owned lots, with 65 units owned by Meriton and 360 apartments that are privately owned.

President of Australian Building Consultants, David Hall, said: ‘In cases where there is one consumer against a major developer, the consumer will often feel as though they have no or limited bargaining power.’

In Mr Rossetto’s case, the body corporate has provided little support. Greens MLP Sylvia Hale said that ‘some of the big development companies don’t have the best records. There are many instances where unit owners find themselves unable to lodge complaints, because they are not covered, or the body corporate managing the units pushes the developers interests and refuse to proceed’.

Mr Rossetto wants Meriton to reimburse him for the costs of removing rubbish from the play area.

So far, Meriton has not agreed to reimburse him for these costs, and has not paid for any cleaning associated with falling objects.

After several years of attempting to negotiate with the strata agents, Mr Rossetto took the case to the Consumer, Tenancy and Trader Tribunal. In August last year the tribunal found in favour of Meriton. Mr Rossetto estimates he spent between $300, 000 to $400,000 in preparing the case.