Some Neo 200 residents told to expect year-long wait before they return
Residents of a Melbourne CBD tower block which was damaged in a blaze likely to have been fuelled by combustible cladding have been told it could be up to a year before they are able to permanently return to their apartments.
An email sent to residents from the owners' corporation this week detailed the extent of the damage to the Neo200 tower on Spencer Street, and the effect ongoing works would have on residents, almost a fortnight since the February 4 blaze.
It is understood at least 14 damaged apartments require "major works" following the fire, with those residents advised they should consider entering a six to 12 month lease in alternative accommodation.
Other residents were also dealt another blow on Friday, after an emergency order issued by the council was extended beyond the original two week period.
Many residents had been previously told they might be back home on Friday morning, however the council has assessed the building and found it cannot be re-occupied.
"On that basis, the building will not be available for the anticipated first stage of re-occupancy today," an email to residents from the body corporate on Friday read. "We will have further advice to you as soon as it comes to hand."
"Please make the necessary arrangements for accommodation through until Sunday night."
The Age has previously revealed the entire smoke alarm system at the apartment block was "dilapidated" and hadn't been properly maintained prior to the fire.
Initial inspections by a council building surveyor of the Neo 200 tower block found significant issues with the fire safety system which would likely put occupants' lives at risk if they remained living in the units, council documents revealed.
Residents have had little access to the building to get belongings for a fortnight due to the emergency order.
One resident told The Age on Friday that the belongings of those residents who were living in damaged apartments had been put in large plastic bags and labelled with apartment numbers before being moved to the basement car park.
Finance worker Phil Tse, who lives on level 28 of the building, said he had been moving between hotels after earlier staying with friends.
"It's quite exhausting," he said.
"I've never been given a day on when we can return."
Others have taken to social media to complain about "11th-hour announcements" which have made it harder to plan ahead and organise finances.
One resident, David Hill, wrote on Twitter that the power had been turned off in the building, meaning the food in the fridge had gone off.
"Found 2day power is now off & fridge has turned sour, stinking out apartment. Understand need 4 it go off but PATHETIC you could not have initiated measures 2 manage this. You’ve been in our apartment, moved belongings. But you couldn’t arrange 4 fridges 2B cleaned out!" he wrote.
Ressdients have been provided with up to $2500 for emergency accomodation while displaced from their homes.
However, at a meeting with the body corporate hosted by the council last week, many residents were frustrated, voicing their concerns that the $2,500 allowance was quickly running out.
Following the fire, which ripped through five balconies in a matter of minutes, MFB investigators found combustible cladding on the building's exterior likely fuelled the blaze.
It is believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette that ignited combustible material on the balcony.
The apartment building is one of more than 2000 inspected by the Victorian Building Authority.
- With AAP