“Following an assessment of costs to adequately rectify the defects, it was determined the best value long term option was to demolish and re-construct these elements,” a council spokeswoman said

“Council will retain and reuse non-defective items where possible, including the ground floor slab, lead-in services, windows and roof sheets.”

Work on the tower initially began in July 2017 and was expected to be complete by December.

However, this July council took over the project from Flinders-based Knorr Constructions and the work put on hold after complications with the builder.

There were delays in the delivery of the project, issues with construction – including a number of critical defects in the first floor slab and the concrete walls.

“Works to complete the project include the demolition and reconstruction of critical defective elements,” the spokeswoman said.

Demolition should be complete by Friday, with the project to be reconstructed shortly after in accordance with the original design.

Council will pursue Knorr Constructions for the additional costs to successfully complete the project as per the conditions of the contract.

Knorr Constructions has applied to the Australian Security and Investment Commission (ASIC) to deregister the company.

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