Canberra developer Geocon is continuing investigations of disturbances in a Belconnen residential tower, described as sounding like a bag of concrete being dropped on an apartment roof.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rental tenant Ian Walker said loud noises could be heard around the clock inside his top floor apartment, leading to nightly sleep interruptions and poor quality of life since February.
He wrote to Geocon managing director Nick Georgalis in July after complaining to the building manager, the external strata company and his real estate agent, but so far investigations have failed to find the source of the noise.
"Nothing has changed since day one," he said.
"Initially we thought it was something not secure with the building and perhaps associated with wind, but even on a very still day the noise is evident day and night.
"My partner and I can't get a good night sleep at all. If you can imagine the sound of a 20 kilo size of concrete on the floor above, that's what it sounds like.
"During the night it can be seven times or even 15 to 20 times."
Mr Walker said Geocon initially refused to acknowledge the problem.
"The next day we are walking around like a zombies, having missed sleep or had broken sleep," he said.
"If it's a party or some kind of other disturbance, you can address it, but this we can't address ourselves. It's up to the developer or the builder.
Last week The Canberra Times reported the construction giant was working to address disturbances reported by other residents, including persistent loud noises heard inside at least four homes over a five month period.
Structural engineers and tradespeople visited the Eastern Valley Way building to investigate noises coming from roof spaces and walls in a small number of the 330 apartments.
The noises were loud enough to wake residents during the night, including one described as sounding like a banging on a door or wall.
Residents expressed frustration at the slow response from the property managers and Geocon, a suggestion rejected by the developer and Independent Strata Management.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Geocon said investigations were continuing and a team of technical specialists had been brought in to find the source.
A structural engineer has inspected precast walls and balustrades, the building's lift core and roof slab, but said "there did not appear to be any structural defects or cracking";
The company said the Wayfarer body corporate had been updated of the progress of investigations over the past week, with controlled shut downs of major services taking place, including hydraulic, fire and mechanical systems and lifts.
"The investigations have revealed the noises are predominantly emanating from the upper levels of the Wayfarer building, in those apartments with a north easterly aspect, however some sound is travelling through the building from there," the statement said.
"The times of day when the noises are more frequent coincides with the level of sun exposure, suggesting the noises may be related to thermal expansion and contraction.
"Expansion or contraction of even micro-millimetres in significant expanses of concrete can result in noises, and is not uncommon in large buildings."
Geocon has engaged acoustic and vibration specialists HW Technologies to assess the sounds.
"Those investigations will commence this Monday and a further update will be provided to the body corporate after the report from HW Technologies is in hand."
