Residents of block 310A can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Photo: Google Street View
Residents of a public housing block in Punggol were relieved that the large, highly-visible crack on the block’s exterior wall has finally been repaired, a month after residents had raised concerns to the authorities, reported TODAY.
The cracked facade of block 310A Waterway Terraces II was first reported by TODAY in early August after photos of the fault were uploaded in a closed Facebook group of residents.
However, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council ascertained that there was no issue with the building’s safety following an inspection of the block.
They explained that the fault line was due to a slight misalignment of precast panels.
However, residents were not convinced.
And while the town council had earlier repaired the plaster crack as well as painted the joint line at Block 310A Waterway Terraces II, residents were not satisfied with the repair.
HDB then engaged the services of a contractor – Tiong Seng Contractors Pte Ltd – to address the misaligned panels.
A notice was put up at the block’s lift lobby informing the residents of the rectification works as well as the dates and time when the works would be conducted.
It noted that the works were being done to address residents’ concerns of the misaligned panels posing a safety risk.
“We would also like to assure you that we have inspected the facade and have ascertained that this is not a structural defect, and will not affect the structural integrity of the building,” read the notice as quoted by TODAY.
Residents of the block welcomed the rectification works, with preschool teacher Suhaila Shariff being more satisfied with the works done by the contractor as the panels have been plastered over, aligned and given a fresh coat of paint.
“They also plastered and painted over smaller cracks on other parts of the block’s (facade). At least they’re doing something (in response to) all the feedback,” she said as quoted by TODAY.
The first public housing project within the Punggol waterfront, the Waterway Terraces estate – comprising Waterway Terraces I and II – was completed in 2015, featuring 2,000 units.
Suggested read: 5 BTO Projects That Have Recently Crossed their 5-Year HDB MOP in 2020
Won by Geneva-based architectural company Group8asia in an international competition, the project comes with cascading roof gardens and undulating balconies. It is also within walking distance to Punggol MRT station and a mall.
The estate’s design also won the HDB Design Awards in 2016. During that same year, the estate also emerged as one of the 15 projects in Singapore that were shortlisted in the World Architecture Festival.
Looking for a property in Singapore? Visit PropertyGuru’s Listings, Project Reviews and Guides.
Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg
