New South Wales' building watchdog - charged with cracking down on shoddy builds and improving productivity - says an Auckland apartment complex is the "most shocking example of a failed residential apartment building" he's ever seen.
David Chandler was appointed the state's Building Commissioner in 2019, but given extra powers late last year, including the ability to force builders to fix defects before finishing a new home, with a vastly boosted budget to upscale building inspections.
The Building Commission was established in New South Wales after two high-rise apartment towers in Sydney were both evacuated within six months between 2019 and 2020 - leaving hundreds of people homeless and only now with the State Government stepping in are some able to get out of the situation with some money.
David Chandler was in Auckland recently speaking at an Institute of Building conference - and he also visited the Ridge Apartments - which is at the centre of documentary series A Living Hell: Apartment Disasters, covered by Nine to Noon in February.
He speaks with Susie Ferguson, along with John Gray from the Home Owners and Buyers Association or HOBANZ.
Photo: Sophie Prebble / HOBANZ
