Residents of the beleaguered Opal Tower could be away from their homes for another two to three months at a minimum, as the building approval process becomes more complicated than first thought. A source close to the investigation into how large cracks came to appear in the brand new apartment in Sydney's Olympic Park told The Daily Telegraph there were more steps than were first anticipated required to repair the damage done. 'It could mean at least two to three months before a hammer is even laid on the building,' they said. 'It's a lot more complicated than the builder originally thought.' To repair the building, builder Icon will need to change the internal garden beds, the site where the cracks first appeared, from how they were initially designed and they will need approval from apartment owners and the body corporate in order to touch each affected apartment. Scroll down for video The builder of Sydney's damaged Opal Tower has admitted repair works 'may' take months to start, … [Read more...] about From bad to worse: Opal Tower builder admits it could be MONTHS before damaged apartments are repaired – as residents refuse to move back into their homes
Home builder cancellation rate
Builder who won £105m Lotto jackpot is pictured heading off to fulfill promises of finishing customers’ jobs despite becoming Britain’s ninth-biggest winner
A builder who won the £105 million EuroMillions jackpot has been spotted fulfilling his promise to go back to work. Self-employed Steve Thomson, 42, and his shop-assistant wife Lenka, 41, from Selsey in West Sussex, became the ninth-biggest winner in the history of the National Lottery last month. Mr Thomson, who has been playing the lottery regularly for 25 years, promised to help the local community and told customers: 'Don't worry, I'll hold to it and get all my jobs done!' Steve Thomson, 42, is spotted sorting out his jobs last Tuesday in Selsey, West Sussex Mr Thomson had earlier told customers: 'Don't worry, I'll hold to it and get all my jobs done!' Mr Thomson, pictured with friend Neil Peet, was seen carrying boxes and driving in his old van And he was seen fulfilling that promise last Tuesday by carrying boxes and driving in his old van, The Sun reported. Mrs Thomson, who is originally from Slovakia, works in a Premier newsagents and met her … [Read more...] about Builder who won £105m Lotto jackpot is pictured heading off to fulfill promises of finishing customers’ jobs despite becoming Britain’s ninth-biggest winner
‘An Australian nightmare’: Investor who spent $840,000 on a ‘dream home’ inside Sydney’s cracked Opal Tower faces financial ruin
An investor who spent $840,000 on his dream home inside Sydney's cracked Opal Tower is now facing financial ruin. Andy Neverly poured his life savings into unit 2208 in the now infamous apartment complex. However, what was supposed to be a joyous moment soon turned into a nightmare after residents evacuated the 36-storey residential building on Christmas Eve after significant cracking issues. Many residents, including Mr Neverly's own tenants, refused to return due to safety concerns. 'It's what you call the Australian dream turned into an Australian nightmare,' Mr Neverly told reporter Ross Greenwood in 60 Minutes. Scroll down for video Andy Neverly (pictured) spent $840,000 into unit 2208 in the Opal Tower but is now facing financial ruin after significant cracking was exposed in the residential building Many residents, including Mr Neverly's own tenants, refused to return to the cracked Opal Tower (pictured) due to safety concerns 'I don't … [Read more...] about ‘An Australian nightmare’: Investor who spent $840,000 on a ‘dream home’ inside Sydney’s cracked Opal Tower faces financial ruin
Gary Barlow CANCELS overseas shows for Take That’s 30th anniversary world tour due to ‘family illness’… as he admits it will be difficult to reach fans in Australia, Asia and South America
Gary Barlow has cancelled plans for Take That's world tour next year. The much-loved 90s boyband had plans to tour all over the globe to mark their 30th anniversary, but will now stick to dates in the UK and Europe to ensure Gary can be close to home following a 'family illness'. The singer, 47, told The Mirror that he is a 'little stuck at the moment' and 'cannot leave home', as he needs to be there for his loved ones. Unexpected: Gary Barlow has cancelled plans for Take That's world tour next year due to a 'family illness', meaning he cannot be too far away from home Gary explained that it has meant Take That's plans to take their tour to South America and Australia are now having to be revised. Speaking to the publication, he said: 'We had a big ambition next year to do a world tour, but I have actually got an illness in my family and it means I am not going to travel for the next two years extensively. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next … [Read more...] about Gary Barlow CANCELS overseas shows for Take That’s 30th anniversary world tour due to ‘family illness’… as he admits it will be difficult to reach fans in Australia, Asia and South America
Christmas mortgage price war sees home loan rates fall to as low as 1.05%
A Christmas mortgage price war has dragged the cost of home loans to record lows. A slowdown in the property market has fuelled competition among high street lenders, forcing them to offer the cheapest ever deals to attract wary borrowers. Average rates for five-year, ten-year and even fifteen-year mortgages are all at the lowest level on record, while two-year fixes are close to record lows. A Christmas mortgage price war has dragged the cost of home loans to record lows (stock image) The competition means someone can fix their mortgage for as little as 1.05 per cent for two years, 1.44 per cent for five years, 2.2 per cent for ten years, and 2.55 per cent for 15 years, according to analysis by Moneyfacts. A first-time buyer with a deposit of just 5 per cent can get a rate of 2.75 per cent in a five-year fixed-rate mortgage, falling to 2.39 per cent on a two-year fix. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Electricity prices are set to FALL across Australia - saving... Donald … [Read more...] about Christmas mortgage price war sees home loan rates fall to as low as 1.05%