Eastern Suburbs Councillor Slams Developers’ “Fantasy” Geotechnical Reports

An Eastern Suburbs councillor has criticised “fantasy” geotechnical reports submitted by developers, as residents fear continued property damage.

Julian Parmegiani, a Liberal, represents the Vaucluse ward of the Woollahra Municipal Council. It includes part of Rose Bay, which alongside nearby Double Bay has a delicate geology, with a high water table impeding large developments. The Minns Government’s planning reforms have nonetheless unleashed a raft of applications.

Such developments were a focal point in the latest meeting of the council’s Environmental Planning Committee, in particular one proposed for Conway Avenue, Rose Bay. Parmegiani probed the council’s manager of development assessment, Nick Economou, on whether council staff can rely on figures in a developer-submitted report.

“Given the boundaries of our knowledge about geotech matters, number one,” the councillor said. “But putting that aside, given the experience that has occurred already in multiple underground car parks being built. To me, some of those reports sound good, sound defensible. However, in practice, they turn out to be a fantasy.”

Economou said that the council’s engineers are in a “difficult” position, “because ultimately we are reliant upon the accreditation, the skill and knowledge of these reports,” and because they are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the information therein.

“But would they have the skill to further scrutinise that? The answer is no, because they’re not geotechnical engineers. Every time there is a specialist report that is provided by a technical expert, we rely upon people’s integrity, their accreditation, and the council must accept that information in good faith.”

Developments responsible for property damage

In recent years, numerous properties in Rose Bay and Double Bay have suffered damage, a result of construction works disrupting the water table. Residents express concern that upcoming developments could cause more harm.

One such proposal is a State Significant housing project planned for Dover Road in Rose Bay. A report commissioned by residents indicated that it could harm 40 close-by properties, increasing to 130 when the impact of other, nearby developments is also considered. Parmegiani said at the time that the report “has more red flags than a May Day parade.”

“Building an eight storey block on wet sand will be a challenge, if not impossible,” he added.

Merrill Witt is a Residents First Woollahra councillor, another member of the Environmental Planning Committee who also represents Vaucluse. She is concerned that geotechnical findings are not being adhered to.

“Like Councillor Parmegiani, I’m worried that Council is approving DAs with conditions for dewatering that the applicants’ hydrogeological and geotechnical reports have indicated cannot be met.”

Contradictory geotechnical reports from developers and residents

Parmegiani asked Economou whether the council should employ a geotechnical engineer. In his reply, the latter noted that there have been “many” cases in which an applicant and an objector have each hired one. These respective engineers have then produced reports contradicting one another.

“And ultimately, the whole court process is, you can get two experts saying two different things, and it comes down on whose evidence or whose weight of information we feel is best suitable or closer to our control.”

Economou gave no definitive answer, noting that such a decision is the council’s prerogative.

Meanwhile, as the state government battles to increase housing construction across Sydney, residents here hope that their properties will not be adversely impacted.