Hornsby apartment dwellers warned to look out for fraudulent insulation

Paul Fletcher, Member for Bradfield has written to over 2,000 people dwelling in apartment complexes in Hornsby, warning them to look out for deficient ceiling insulation which may have been installed without their knowledge.

“Recently I have learned of concerns held by the residents of several apartment complexes in Hornsby,” Mr Fletcher said.

“It appears that someone unknown has gained admission to put insulation into the ceiling cavities of these apartments.  This was done without the consent of the owners’ corporation.

“The motive was presumably to make a claim for payment under the Labor Government’s Home Insulation Program.  This program was suspended in February as a result of safety and compliance concerns.”

Mr Fletcher said that the evidence suggested there may have been a criminal gang targeting apartment complexes in the Hornsby area.

He was therefore writing to Hornsby apartment dwellers on the Bradfield electoral roll, warning them to check whether their apartment complex had been targeted.

Anyone who suspects their apartment complex may have been targeted can take the following steps:

·       Raise their concerns with the owners’ corporation in their complex

·       If they have immediate concerns about the safety of any installation which may have occurred, call the Safety Hotline on 13 17 92

·       Call Paul Fletcher’s office on 02 9465 3950 or email Paul on [email protected].

If there is any reason to suspect that unauthorised installation has occurred, do not seek to enter the ceiling cavity as it may be dangerous to do so.

“The Home Insulation Program has been a badly designed disaster, with over 150 house fires due to insulation carelessly installed by cowboy operators rushing to claim a government cash payment,” said Mr Fletcher.

“The Gillard Labor Government is refusing to release the results of safety inspection figures – or inspect every single home that received the insulation. “