Foyer Oxford.
Camera IconFoyer Oxford. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Leederville: Foyer Oxford cladding to be replaced

Julian WrightEastern Reporter

FLAMMABLE cladding on the exterior of Leederville youth refuge Foyer Oxford will be replaced.

It was confirmed on Friday by Foundation Housing, which leases the building from the Housing Authority, that plans were in place to remove the panels that were similar to those on the Grenfell Tower in London.

It was discovered during a June audit that the panels installed in 2014 on the four-storey, 98 apartment building on Oxford Street were non-compliant.

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The building was immediately placed under stronger surveillance with extra CCTV and thermal sensors installed and a 24-hour concierge as a short-term solution.

Foundation Housing chief executive Kathleen Gregory said the panels would be replaced, but could not give a timeline.

“A medium-term solution has been identified and is subject to the appropriate statutory approvals,” she said.

“This is currently being worked through and will involve the replacement of the panels.”

The CCTV would remain until the panels were replaced.

Ms Gregory would not say what it would cost to install extra CCTV, thermal sensors and provide a 24-hour concierge.

“Foundation Housing does not wish to comment on this matter which is commercial in confidence,” she said.

Ms Gregory said several information sessions were held for tenants and alternative accommodation offered.

“No tenant has expressed concern or a desire to be relocated,” she said.

Foundation Housing general manager business development Chris Smith said a fire was reported in the building’s cafe two years ago, but it was not near the panels.

A Building Commission spokeswoman said a state-wide audit of buildings could be “arduous”.

City of Vincent chief executive Len Kosova said it would co-operate with and support the State Government during the audit.

MORE: Cities of Perth, Vincent and Stirling agree to help audit of buildings’ cladding, but say it could be ‘laborious’ and ‘arduous’ process