Qld: Balcony collapse and disastrous weather prompts warning
21 Nov 2008 7:26 PMBy Evan Schwarten and David Barbeler
BRISBANE, Nov 21 AAP - A national building advisory group has warned as many as 8,000 balconies Australia-wide are potential death traps.
Archicentre, the building advisory service to the Australian Institute of Architects, issued the warning the day after a balcony collapse in Brisbane injured 27 women, one of them fatally.
It advised homeowners to take precautions ahead of the festive season with up to two per cent - or about 8,000 - of balconies across the country unsafe.
On Thursday, the 48-year-old victim was among a large group of mothers who gathered at a house at Ascot, in Brisbane's north, to celebrate their sons'graduation from Brisbane's Anglican Church Grammar School.
She was among dozens of women on the balcony of the Queenslander-style homewhen it collapsed and was the most severely injured of 27 of the mothers who fell about three metres.
Police confirmed that she died in hospital early on Friday.
Archicentre managing director Robert Caulfield said several balcony collapses across Australia in recent years had resulted in injury or death.
"Coastal properties are in the high risk categories because of the harsh environment and salt damage to metal fittings," Mr Caulfield said.
State manager Ron Tanton told the ABC that because of the recent storms in Brisbane all properties needed to be checked.
"Quite clearly, if there is severe washouts or erosion around foundations and footings of timber or steel posts, that might catch people unawares, particularly as they're busy trying to get their lives together after devastating water inundation or something like that," he said.
Churchie headmaster Jonathan Hensman, who was next to the balcony when it collapsed, on Friday expressed his deepest sympathies to the dead woman's family.
"Our prayers and thoughts are also with all families who have been injured and those who attended the lunch, along with the hosts," he said in a statement.
"The Churchie community is close-knit and the school will take all measuresnecessary to ensure that the Year 12 boys and their families are offered supportive care and assistance at this time."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh promised a thorough investigation.
"It is a terrible tragedy and is very traumatic not only for the mums concerned but also for the wider school community," Ms Bligh told reporters.
"I know it's a very close knit school community and I know there's a very active mothers' club and I know this will be a very difficult time for them and my heart goes out to them."
Police will prepare a report for the coroner while Brisbane City Council and workplace health and safety authorities are also investigating.
The Churchie Year 12 students were due to mark their graduation with a valedictory dinner on Friday night.
Earlier on Friday, a number of the injured mothers arrived at the school oncrutches and carrying flowers for a rehearsal of the graduation ceremony.
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