00:00 Rusted, corroding homes that have been left standing for nearly a decade, despite serious
00:07 fears for safety.
00:08 There is a risk to ourselves and the surrounding homes that these homes will break up and fly
00:14 apart and kill homeowners and damaged property and just create a nightmare in the middle
00:19 of a cyclone situation.
00:21 Trapped in a complex bureaucratic tangle, five homeowners in the Palmerston suburb of
00:26 Bellarmack, who bought into an affordable housing scheme found to be rife with defects,
00:31 are facing new hurdles in their bid for compensation and closure.
00:36 They're stuck in a trap and that's the worst thing about this.
00:41 There is no end in sight for them.
00:44 Engineering reports commissioned by the NT government show the homes present a safety
00:48 risk of serious harm to occupants and potentially to surrounding neighbouring properties during
00:54 a cyclone.
00:56 This politician referred the matter to police last year.
00:59 He's now disappointed with new revelations.
01:02 Detectives reviewed the matter but didn't launch a criminal investigation.
01:06 It still doesn't abrogate their responsibility under the Police Administration Act to deal
01:12 with the issue of public safety.
01:14 A letter obtained by the ABC from an NT assistant police commissioner to a complainant says
01:20 "advice I have received sets out compelling reasons as to why a decision has been made
01:25 to not demolish homes that are currently occupied."
01:29 What those compelling reasons are, the public still doesn't know.
01:32 The police won't say, neither will the Infrastructure Department.
01:36 And if such reasons do exist, then they run contradictory to the fact that nine homes
01:41 from the same scheme have already been demolished due to the same safety concerns.
01:46 The cost to taxpayers to demolish those homes is so far nearly $4.5 million.
01:52 The homes that are still standing aren't eligible for government compensation due to
01:57 a policy change introduced while they were being built.
02:01 It's strange that we're left in this situation to fight for ourselves.
02:07 And yeah, it would be really appreciative if the NT government could come to the table
02:10 with a bit more help.
02:11 Darwin builder George Malatos has been ordered to pay compensation by the NT civil tribunal.
02:17 He's now appealing that and says the saga has ruined him and his business.
02:22 They brought me to my knees.
02:24 You know, I lost millions of dollars and they're suing me.
02:31 Meanwhile, the NT government won't say if the homes are safe for this wet season and
02:37 denies any responsibility to demolish and replace them before a catastrophe occurs.
02:43 [BLANK_AUDIO]
Comments