Answers to Questions

Aluminium Composite Cladding

484 The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (12 May 2021). How many residential buildings have been assessed by councils in South Australia as having aluminium composite panels that require replacement?

(a) How many dwellings are there in these buildings?

(b) Has there been any cost estimates provided to the government for the replacement of these panels?

(c) Has the government investigated providing any support to the owners of these buildings for the replacement of these panels?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing): I have been advised by the Minister for Planning and Local government:

The state government called for a thorough and comprehensive cladding audit of high-rise residential and assembly buildings across South Australia.

The South Australian Building Cladding Audit focused on residential buildings more than two storeys in height, and motels, hotels, aged-care facilities, hospitals, schools and assembly buildings. The initial review identified 172 privately owned buildings as being of potential interest. Following further investigation, 161 buildings were confirmed as having aluminium composite panels (ACPs) attached to their facades; 79 of these are residential buildings.

Initially, 28 privately owned buildings were identified as high or extreme risk requiring remediation (21 high risk and seven extreme risk). These were mainly apartment (residential) buildings.

As at June 2021, the total number of privately owned buildings identified with ACP has reduced to 152. Three buildings remain rated extreme, four buildings rated high (due to a recently identified new building), and 54 rated moderate.

The confirmed buildings have been reviewed by Council Building Fire Safety Committees, in collaboration with the relevant fire authorities (the Metropolitan Fire Service or Country Fire Service), to determine acceptable options of remediation.

Many of the buildings have had their original level of risk lowered following the provision of additional information such as annual maintenance reports and information about the flammability of the cladding product itself.

Residential Buildings:

Seventy-nine residential buildings remain on the South Australian Building Cladding Audit Register. Three buildings are rated extreme risk; two are high risk; 25 are moderate risk; and 49 have achieved an acceptable risk rating of low and do not require any further action. Seven of these residential buildings have completed their remedial works; in some instances, this has included the removal of ACPs. Options for the remaining buildings are at various stages of investigation to determine the next steps in order to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.