GIPA Findings

A critical review of the provided technical records reveals that while independent Hydraulic and Civil Engineering advice was explicitly recommended as the essential first step to saving Helensburgh Community Hall, there is no evidence that this specialised expertise was ever commissioned or acted upon by Council during the key window for remediation.

Advice Ignored

In May 2019, building contractors and staff urged engaging an independent hydraulic consultant to stop subfloor water ingress before floor replacement. (004)

Treating Symptoms but ignoring the Cause

Council bypassed specialised engineering for “Option 3” ventilation, treating surface air symptoms while leaving the underlying groundwater flow completely unaddressed [015, 015a, 018].

Chronic Neglect

2023 records reveal Council was still sourcing drainage quotes, confirming critical 2019 engineering advice remained unacted upon during the building’s salvageable window. (003, 004)

Comprehensive timeline of recommendations and decisions
Year / DateEvent or RecommendationOutcome / Action FollowedGIPA / Ref
1978Main Hall Construction completed at 26 Walker Street.Building established on brick piers.090
1996 / 1997Youth Centre Construction to east side of Hall on Walker Street (Currently where Community Rooms are located)Footprint blocked original eastern drainage outlets.Council Plans / Site Survey
2008-2009Workers Club Demolition & Gibbons Lane Apartments to North and West construction.Road level raised by 400mm, increasing water pressure on hall.Council Mapping database / Site Survey
2011-2015Maintenance Staff attempted moisture fixes via fans and vents.Ineffective. Works failed to address the source of water flow.009 , 015
April 2017Property Summary identified mould and water-damaged ceilings.Deferred. No major drainage review was initiated at this time.056 , 057 , 015b
May 2019Building Contractors recommended a plumber perform a "Dye Check."Not undertaken. No record confirms this investigative test occurred.004
May 2019Contractors & Staff recommended engaging a hydraulic (Specialist Civil Engineer) consultant.Not undertaken. Formal drainage designs / solutions were not finalised.004
2019Wollongong Council Close Community Hall without notice—
Aug 2019Geotechnical Staff recommended site visit after "significant rain."Not undertaken. No weather-dependent mapping was recorded.004
Dec 2020Clearsafe recommended professional source investigation on western walls.Partially addressed. Council staff inspected, but ingress continued.057 , 072
Apr 2021Council ISP Staff recommended "Stage 2" investigation for construction methodology.Superseded. Project moved toward demolition in 2022.015a
Nov 2021Clearsafe repeated call for professional inspection for moisture sources.Not undertaken. Full precinct closed due to massive mould spread.015c
July 2023Council Staff began sourcing quotes for drainage works.Ongoing. Investigated four years after the 2019 hydraulic advice.003 , 004

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GIPA documents

  1. 001 ECM_24415365_v3_LCS - Library and Community Services - Divisional Manager Team (DMT) Meeting - Agenda - 25 July 2023_RedactedOpen PDF
  2. 002 ECM_24416014_v2_LCS - Library and Community Services - Divisional Manager Team (DMT) Meeting - Minutes - 27 June 202_RedactedOpen PDF
  3. 003 ECM_24449597_v2_LCS - Library and Community Services - Divisional Manager Team (DMT) Meeting - Minutes - 25 July 202_RedactedOpen PDF
  4. 004 ECM_18539297_v1_IW - D+TS Projects - Reports Water ingress _ Builder s report _ condition assessment_EVIDENCEOpen PDF
  5. 005 ECM_24454978_v2_LCS - Library and Community Services - Divisional Manager Team (DMT) Meeting - Minutes - 8 August 20_RedactedOpen PDF
  6. 006 ECM_24531614_v2_LCS - Library and Community Services - Divisional Manager Team (DMT) Meeting - Minutes - 22 August 2_RedactedOpen PDF
  7. 009 ECM_18699414_v1_IW - D+TS Projects - Reports GT19 271 Helensburgh Community Hall subfloor drainage investigation_EVIDENCEOpen PDF
  8. 015 ECM_20506020_v25_LCS - Community Facilities Management - Maintenance EMC Report - Helensburgh Community Centre - Mould - EVIDENCEOpen PDF
  9. 015a ECM_21662654_v1_LCS - Reporting - EMC Reports Attachment 3 - EMC Report - April 2021 Correspondence regarding OptionOpen PDF
  10. 015b ECM_21662661_v1_LCS - Community Facilities Management - Maintenance Attachment 4a - EMC Report - Hygienist Report -Open PDF
  11. 015c ECM_21662672_v1_LCS - Community Facilities Management - Maintenance Attachment 4b - EMC Report - Hygienist Report -Open PDF
  12. 018 ECM_20512093_v12_LCS - (Exec Man Meeting March 2022) Community Facilities Management - Maintenance EMC Report - Helensburgh Community Centre - DemoOpen PDF
  13. 032 ECM_18366329_v1_IW - Reports - Asset B02161 - Helensburgh Community and Youth Centre Building Condition and FunctionOpen PDF
  14. 056 ECM_18268642_v1_IW - Asset Management - Planning B02161 - Helensburgh Community & Youth Centre condition report - prOpen PDF
  15. 057 ECM_18268728_v1_IW - Asset Management - Planning B02161 Condition Report Photo Report 2018Open PDF
  16. 060 ECM_18366329_v1_IW - Reports - Asset B02161 - Helensburgh Community and Youth Centre Building Condition and FunctionOpen PDF
  17. 066 ECM_19605773_v1_IW - Project Management - Variations Helensburgh Community Hall - Floor Remediation Work - ClarificaOpen PDF
  18. 070 ECM_19635133_v1_IW - Project Management - Communication Helensburgh Community Hall - Clearsafe ReportOpen PDF
  19. 072 ECM_19637072_v1_IW - Project Management - Communication FW Helensburgh Community Centre - floor structure replacemeOpen PDF
  20. 090 ECM_20219776_v1_IW - Project Management - Communication FW Helensburgh Community Centre - floor structure replacemeOpen PDF
  21. 091 ECM_20222151_v1_IW - Project Management - Communication Helensburgh Community Hall - asbestos reportOpen PDF
  22. 093 ECM_20230084_v1_IW - Project Management - Communication HPRM Helensburgh Community HallOpen PDF
  23. 101 ECM_20282718_v1_IW - Project Management - Variations Clearsafe Report + Quadracon’s quotation price for the full fl_RedactedOpen PDF
  24. 112 ECM_20386752_v1_IW - Project Management - Communication Helensburgh Community Centre - UpdateOpen PDF
  25. 120 ECM_20517609_v2_IW - Strategy and Planning Helensburgh Community and Youth Centre DemolitionOpen PDF
  26. 124 ECM_24408876_v1_1149099 - B02161 - 1149099 - B02161 - Helensburgh Community & Youth CentreOpen PDF

For supporting documents and expert reports, visit the evidence page.