Eastgate tenants still ‘out in the cold’
The more than 300 owners and tenants of the Eastgate Towers in Bondi Junction will be locked out of their houses for at least another four months.
Their residence was damaged by a gas explosion on March 30. Since then they haven’t been able to enter their homes, allowed entry only to retrieve some belongings. Two plumbers were injured during the explosion.
This month residents received a letter from the owners’ committee informing them that most apartments won’t be accessible until November: “The apartments from level 10 to 26 will be ready by mid-to late November. Unfortunately the extent of the damage to level 27 is likely to delay occupation of that level past this date, whilst the penthouses on level 28 will certainly extend into 2010.”
“We are left out in the cold,” said Wayne Baffsky, who lived on the 25th floor. “Our lives are put on hold. All of us had to duplicate our belongings and stay at friends or family. From a toothbrush to new computers, we all had to buy new stuff to keep our lives on track.”
Baffsky said a lot of people have gone into debt over the tragedy.
“Nobody is helping. Liability for the accident hasn’t been accepted by any of the parties yet, which means we have got to pay for everything so far. Some residents had to invest $20,000 duplicating their property,” he said.
“Although some alternative accommodation was covered by the builders’ insurance, we want the responsible people to accept the liability. And soon, otherwise we are going to take legal actions.”
It is not only the material loss that affected the residents, said Baffsky. “This situation, where we don’t know what to do, has caused a lot of emotional stress. I’ve lost around 28 kilos in the last couple of months, all due to stress. That might be the only positive thing I get out of it.”
To create a place for residents to share their concerns about the situation, Baffsky and other affected residents have set up a website: www.smartersoft.com.au/eastgate.
– BY ADRIAAN ZEGERS
