Investigative Journalism and Learning Hub - Waratah Strata Management ignored complaint about SP52948 Block D elevator out of order for 96 hours on 15 February 2020

Welcome to the blog of NSW strata investigative journalism

From: SP52948 owner
To: Robert Crosbie, Frank Tallaridi
Subject: PROBLEM REPORT: SP52948 Elevator in Block D out of order for at least 96 hours and still not operational as of 07:07 hours - 15Feb2020
Date: 15/2/20, 7:14 am

Fifth day - out of order elevator in Block D.

Maintenance staff finally displayed more informative notice in front of Block D and in the foyer on the ground floor.

Notice board of Block D still has no information for owners and tenants. Interesting way to display democracy in action, by preventing owners and tenants from having information about their properties and investments.

Based on today's update from maintenance staff, the elevator will be down till at least Tuesday 18 February 2020, making elevator downtime at least 192 hours (eight days).


On 14/2/20 8:08 pm, SP52948 owner wrote:

Fourth day - elevator in Block D out of order.

This time frustration of owners is starting to show up (refer to amendment of handwritten note written by some tenant or owner).

Elevator has now been broken for more than 85 hours.


On 13/2/20 5:40 pm, SP52948 owner wrote:

Third day in full swing - elevator in Block D has been out of order for at least 59 hours so far.

Notice board in Block D still contains no information.

Owners in other units and all investors not notified so far.

Photo evidence attached.

Regards,

PS. As a separate issue: Lot 158 again did not receive agenda for the EC meeting scheduled this month.


On 12/2/20 6:45 pm, SP52948 owner wrote:

The elevator problem in Block D is soon entering the THIRD DAY, just several months after alleged major upgrades.

So far, based on evidence collected by Lot 158, the elevator in Block D has been out of order for at least 36 hours.

It was sad to witness two owners/tenants carrying washing machine from the basement through fire doors and to upper floors by hand this afternoon.

The attached photos speak for themselves.

The belated handwritten notice in two places in Block D is insufficient to inform the owners of the reoccurring problems.

In addition, notice board in Block D has absolutely no information about the elevator breakdown.

On a separate note, official information was received from Electra Lift who confirmed that nobody notified them of the outcome of their tender for major upgrades. That is not how professional tenders are run. Thompson Elevator Consultancy Services assessment and quotes for elevator major upgrades was sent to Waratah Strata Management on 16 November 2017, but presented to owners through the expired and misleading quotes one year later in agenda for Annual General Meeting in October 2018, where three vendors were allegedly short-listed:

        Liftronic Elevator
        Electra Lift
        Otis Elevator

Regards,

On 11/2/20 5:04 pm, SP52948 owner wrote:

Good afternoon,

  • Some time around 06:10 hours this morning, strong alarm sounded from Fire Door 2 in Block A. At time when most people are still asleep, the sound certainly disturbed many owners and tenants.
  • Based on Lot 158 tireless efforts to enforce good and reliable services for all owners and tenants with the same rights and privileges in the complex, immediate checks were done in the basement.

        It turned out that the elevator in Block D (third one Lot 158 has collected evidence for in last two and a half months) was out of order at 06:35 hours.

        It is possible that the elevator was broken for much longer before 06:35 hours.

        At the same time, fire door in Block D was wide open and unattended.

        maintenance staff did not publish notices near elevator doors on any of the floors in Block D.

  • Throughout the morning, Lot 158 witnessed two visits by different Liftronic staff.
  • Second audit was done at around 13:53 hours. The elevator in Block D was still out of order.

        At the same time, fire door 2 in Block A was wide open and unattended.

        maintenance staff did not publish notices near elevator doors on any of the floors in Block D.

  • Third audit was done at around 16:06 hours. The elevator in Block D was still out of order.

        At the same time, fire door 2 in Block A was wide open and unattended.

        maintenance staff did not publish notices near elevator doors on any of the floors in Block D.

As of this moment, the elevator in Block D has been out of order for AT LEAST NINE HOURS.

Further checks throughout the evening might show even worse status.

Photo evidence is enclosed.

Regards,