Balcony collapse tragedy highlights potentially rising problem

Photo: The Doncaster East balcony shown on the Domain website

The Doncaster East balcony collapse has drawn attention to the lack of inspection and regulation around aging structures in Victoria.

Decks and balconies could be inspected just as smoke alarms are, according to Engineers Australia Victorian president Chris Stoltz.

“Just like we have mandatory inspections for smoke detectors, its not beyond the realm of possibility that we might have mandatory inspections of decking,” Chris told Justin and Kate.

“Unlike the rest of your house, the deck is exposed to the weather more, so as timber dries and gets wet, it contracts and moves, nails pop out.”

As reported in The Age, the Doncaster East tragedy has drawn attention to a potentially growing problem, with many structures built decades ago not built to code.

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On Saturday night a balcony collapse claimed the lives of two women, leaving a further 17 other people injured.