Residents of the damaged Eastgate Towers' Ocean Court at Bondi Junction have been given a last minute reprieve for short term access to their apartments next week, ahead of repairs and restoration of the building.
Residents will now be able to return to their apartments for short periods from Tuesday 14th April to collect small personal possessions under a strict floor by floor timetable established by the site managers.
"Residents may only retrieve small items that will fit into hand luggage and can be carried down stairs" said Wally Patterson, Managing Director of Dynamic Property Services. "This will give access to such critical items as passports, other documents, personal papers, small valuables and medication."
"Due to safety laws relating to the use of fire stairs and the state of building services, people will be required to sign an indemnity prepared by the insurers and meet strict safety criteria before entering, including undertaking an OH&S short-form induction," Mr Patterson said. "People will be required to move carefully and not linger on the fire stairs which are the only means of access to the floors. Therefore, they will not be allowed to remove furniture or other large or heavy items."
No more than two people will be allowed in a designated timeslot and for a maximum of two hours. Each resident or their representative as well as signing the indemnity, will need to bring personal identification. Security personnel will oversee all access.
We are still concerned that the temporary whereabouts of some residents is unknown in spite of ongoing attempts to contact them, and they may not be aware of this limited opportunity. Any residents who have not yet contacted Dynamic should do so immediately.
The information line 9263 9912 extended its operations to include Easter Sunday and Monday 9am - 5pm and details of the access roster have been posted on Dynamic's website (
www.dynamicproperty.com.au
) through a link entitled Eastgate Update . Bookings can also be made by email through
eastgate@dps.net.au
"We appreciate this is an extremely difficult time for all people involved," Mr Patterson said. "Once the builders take control of the building and it becomes a construction site it will require skilled trades people to work in dangerous conditions and for safety reasons no unauthorised people will be allowed entry."
An information night for all residents will be held next Thursday (April 16th) at the East's Leagues Club at 6.30 pm
"I would like to thank all residents for their patience and understanding during this difficult time."
"We appreciate the assistance provided by the media in disseminating information to residents," Mr Patterson said.
Media contact: Bob Lawrence 0428 280 222