Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 101Sep 12, 2008 9:27 am I heard about Cranbourne on the News last night and again this morning. My first thought was "who on H1 is building out there". The bl**dy council/developers have alot to answer for. I felt so sorry for the families that were interviewed on ACA (??) last night, how do people afford to pay their mortgages and rent somewhere else??? Happy at Home Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 102Sep 12, 2008 9:41 am Martyme, I'm so sorry to hear that you are caught up in this.
As Mrs B said, the whole situation is outrageous. Surely there must be some compensation available at some point. I don't know what to say except, I hope it works out as best it can. Sorry that's just so lame, but we're all think about you. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 103Sep 12, 2008 10:55 am OMG. So sorry to hear this, I've really enjoyed watching your house go up.
Did I hear on the news this morning (Yes it was the leading story on the Tassie news too!!) that the Council opposed the subdivision, but they were over ridden by some tribunal I hope it all works out for you...as you said you are in it for the long term...but what do you do in the meantime. I don't know what else to say...Best wishes 'chelle We have a hand-over date...15/10...but I won't hold my breath! http://people-in-glass-houses.blogspot.com/ Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 105Sep 12, 2008 1:12 pm The council has already spent $4 million on mitigation works ... surely the developer should be liable as they are the ones who pushed it through (and would have made a huge profit, probably buying land that other developers rejected). Sue the developers.
I don't know how longer term residents of this estate can say that the first they heard of this problem was this week - there was a pretty big article in the local paper back in July and they have been monitoring the methane levels for quite a while. Maybe they will install a methane gas power plant so you can all get free electricity. Good luck martyme ... at least your place is past lock up stage. Sounds like they are installing more meters so your tradies may be able to get safely back on site soon. Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 106Sep 12, 2008 3:21 pm Martyme, this is horrible news for you. How devastating, we have just had it on the news also and there are alot of people effected...terrible. I hope the best outcome happens quickly for you. Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 107Sep 13, 2008 8:28 am I agree that the Developers are primarily responsible for this as they knew the issue was there, and against advice (apparently including advice from EPA) and being blocked by the local council they still pushed for it and eventually got the go ahead from VCAT (who overruled the coucil).
So - Primary responsibility goes with the Developer. Secondary responsibility goes with VCAT. The Developer should be made to cough up heaps... Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 108Sep 13, 2008 11:31 am Lyn Maybe they will install a methane gas power plant so you can all get free electricity. That was the first thing I thought of... how to make money out of it and save the residents in doing so. Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 109Sep 23, 2008 11:09 pm Hi all, just thought I would update you all on progress. First of all the situation with the Methane gas has not changed although it appears that most residents are staying put and a large number of those that moved out have returned.
Tomorrow there will be a meeting of householders to discuss the progress of a Class action items to be discussed will be:- Who will be the defendants, which claim or claims will deliver the best result, what can be put in place to reach the earliest resolution. Personally I think that yes there is a problem which must be fixed ASAP and that those concerned should be brought to task. However I would like to see the media dragged over the coals for their lack of objective reporting of the issue (very sensationalist). In my opinion the media coverage of this issue has been a major contributing factor in the resultant hysteria and plunging house values! Nuff said In regards to progress with the house I spoke to the Construction Supervisor three weeks ago about our concerns and he said that they had replaced our SS with a new guy who is a real and I quote "GUN" Well it would appear that the GUN is firing blanks because as of today all that has been done is the grading of shower bases! Despite this the SS is saying that he has scheduled the 25/10/2008 as handover date. Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 110Sep 26, 2008 8:06 pm Sorry if I'm talking out of order Marty because I haven't read every tiny detail in your thread, but I thought all construction in the estate had stopped due to the risk of explosion from power tools? Maybe that was more sensationalist media claptrap by the sound of it. Gotta love 'em, eh?
One radio news bulletin though talked about the recent tightening of the relvent standards regarding what is now accepted as the safe level of methane in air. Apparently, until recently, the acceptable level was 2.5 'something' (percent? parts per million?), but now it is only 1.0 I know that some people living in that estate have been suffering physical symptoms, and the methane must be eliminated, but I just wonder whether the problem has been exacerbated because of a change in the standard? In any case, best of luck to you. Geoff - Decophile. Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 111Sep 26, 2008 8:29 pm Think the highest methane reading they had in an enclosed space was 60 per cent ... and the CFA was quoted as saying it is explosive at 15 per cent.
We are aware of another builder with a project in the exclusion zone. I think they are back on site with a few methane meters and additional precautions. I don't think the problem should be underestimated ... you wouldn't stick a match into a septic tank would you?! Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 112Sep 26, 2008 10:08 pm Eager Sorry if I'm talking out of order Marty because I haven't read every tiny detail in your thread, but I thought all construction in the estate had stopped due to the risk of explosion from power tools? Maybe that was more sensationalist media claptrap by the sound of it. Gotta love 'em, eh? One radio news bulletin though talked about the recent tightening of the relvent standards regarding what is now accepted as the safe level of methane in air. Apparently, until recently, the acceptable level was 2.5 'something' (percent? parts per million?), but now it is only 1.0 I know that some people living in that estate have been suffering physical symptoms, and the methane must be eliminated, but I just wonder whether the problem has been exacerbated because of a change in the standard? In any case, best of luck to you. Recently EPA revised down their Methane standard from 2.5% to 1% of the total volume of air. Methane is a flammable gas and is explosive in concentrations between 5% and 15% of the total volume of air. The important factors here is the volume of air, the methane is rising through the ground and entering houses through openings in slabs (drain pipes, gas pipes and electrical conduits) where the gas enters into a confined space (wall cavity, under sink cupboard etc.) and the total air volume is small the gas can build up to dangerouse levels. However once this confined space is opened then the Methane quickly disperces to safe levels. By the way methane is a normal componant of the air we all breathe, air is made up of 78.08 % Nitrogen 20.94 % Oxygen 00.93 % Argon 00.03 % Carbon Dioxide which is equal to 99.98 percent the rest of the air is compose of Neon Helium Krypton Sulfur dioxide Methane Hydrogen Nitrous Oxide Xenon Ozone Nitrogen dioxide Iodine Carbon monoxide Ammonia The other important factor is the range. In air, methane is flammable over a fairly narrow range of concentrations, 5 to 15 percent. Thus there is a Lower Explosive Limit as well as a Higher Explosive Limit. Now the reading in the house where the high reading (60% in a wall cavity) was found was well above the High Explosive Limit 15% So as you can see YES the level was high and is unacceptable but it really did not pose a real threat of explosion, especially when there was no source of ignition in the wall cavity. Healt threat Methane gas is lighter than air and as it rises in confined spaces it displaces oxygen. This means that methane can create a risk of suffocation in enclosed spaces. Obviously this threat is easily mitigated by ventilation. I am guessing that you were being facitious regarding whether the changing of standards has exacerbated physical problems. BTW since the 60% reading there are now apparently 207 meters in homes and have been only 5 low level readings up to 21/9 and NONE since then. Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 113Sep 26, 2008 10:22 pm martyme Recently EPA revised down their Methane standard from 2.5% to 1% of the total volume of air. Methane is a flammable gas and is explosive in concentrations between 5% and 15% of the total volume of air. The important factors here is the volume of air, the methane is rising through the ground and entering houses through openings in slabs (drain pipes, gas pipes and electrical conduits) where the gas enters into a confined space (wall cavity, under sink cupboard etc.) and the total air volume is small the gas can build up to dangerouse levels. However once this confined space is opened then the Methane quickly disperces to safe levels. By the way methane is a normal componant of the air we all breathe, air is made up of 78.08 % Nitrogen 20.94 % Oxygen 00.93 % Argon 00.03 % Carbon Dioxide which is equal to 99.98 percent the rest of the air is compose of Neon Helium Krypton Sulfur dioxide Methane Hydrogen Nitrous Oxide Xenon Ozone Nitrogen dioxide Iodine Carbon monoxide Ammonia The other important factor is the range. In air, methane is flammable over a fairly narrow range of concentrations, 5 to 15 percent. Thus there is a Lower Explosive Limit as well as a Higher Explosive Limit. Now the reading in the house where the high reading (60% in a wall cavity) was found was well above the High Explosive Limit 15% So as you can see YES the level was high and is unacceptable but it really did not pose a real threat of explosion, especially when there was no source of ignition in the wall cavity. Healt threat Methane gas is lighter than air and as it rises in confined spaces it displaces oxygen. This means that methane can create a risk of suffocation in enclosed spaces. Obviously this threat is easily mitigated by ventilation. Great info, you've obviously learnt a lot about the nature of the problem. What a shame the media didn't. martyme I am guessing that you were being facitious regarding whether the changing of standards has exacerbated physical problems. What I was trying to say is that it only became a 'problem' since the standards weere tightened, for example if a house was previously tested at 2% it would have been deemed as safe, but now it would be deemed as unsafe. Sorry for the confusion. Geoff - Decophile. Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 114Sep 26, 2008 10:38 pm Eager What I was trying to say is that it only became a 'problem' since the standards weere tightened, for example if a house was previously tested at 2% it would have been deemed as safe, but now it would be deemed as unsafe. Sorry for the confusion. That's ok It is a very confusing and for some emotional issue and of course the media are only interested in 30 second grabs and to hell with the facts and the subsequent damage their sensationalist coverage causes. Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 115Sep 26, 2008 11:13 pm UPDATE
BTW work has again blocked us from accessing photobucket so I am unable to upload any photo's to this thread however for those of you interested you can see them on my blog http://martyme-ourhome.blogspot.com/ Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 116Oct 14, 2008 8:16 pm UPDATE
Well here we are nearly 3 weeks since the last update and frankly not a hell of a lot has been done since then. Here is a list:- 1. Shower bases graded and sealed 2. Waterproofing to wet areas 3. Tiles laid to Laundry, Bathroom & En suite floors (not yet grouted) 4. Part of ducted vacuum system installed 5. Faulty benchtop support replaced Last Friday I met with the SS on site to discuss progress or lack thereof and to confirm whether 25 October would still be the date of final inspection. Surprise surprise we are now looking at the first or second week of November for this and all being well settlement late November!! Bloody hell this is slow and frustrating. Still unable to access photobucket so pics can be viewed on blog at:- http://martyme-ourhome.blogspot.com/ Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 117Oct 14, 2008 9:26 pm Yes, delays are frustrating.
Still, progress is progress and you're not too far from getting the keys. Good luck. Just think of the magic mushies you could grow under those vents! Geoff - Decophile. Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 118Oct 23, 2008 10:21 pm Spoke to the Business Manager today along with the SS to discuss our dissatisfaction with the progress of our house. We have been assured that our house is being given top priority and that to this end we will have our final walk through on 17th November (We have booked in an independent inspection for the same day). From there we can expect settlement to occur 1-2 weeks after that which means we can expect to move in on or about 1st December.
So now we will wait with fingers and toes crossed in the hope that the builders will deliver on time as promised! http://martyme-ourhome.blogspot.com/ Re: Building the "Cascade" (photo updates) 120Oct 24, 2008 12:38 pm That is good news, hope everything works out for you. There has been abit of progress on our house and things are looking good. They have not given us a completion date but it should be before x-mas or early next year. braveheart 1. Roof cleaning and paint - which colour do you recommend? I often see black/ dark grey in use these days but I would prefer… 0 8399 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110809 |