RE the article "Banc car park fire concern" (Leader, September 4).
Disapppointing that Sutherland Council does not support Fire and Rescue NSW's recommendation to ensure safety in the basement of the Banc building in Cronulla.
Council's comment on the fact that it would be a costly retrofit is a complete turnaround from council's policy earlier in 2000 when hugely expensive fire safety retrofits were enforced (with no mercy shown) on residents of older high rise buildings.
Although most of these buildings had well maintained fire safety standards adequate to when they were built, council brooked no argument insisting that all recommendations should be met and each targeted building brought up to present day fire safety standards, which of course, was not completely possible. Many residents were forced from their homes because of the huge expense involved.
With present concerns about the building industry it seems to me that any recommendation on building safety issues from the relevant authority should be promptly carried out.
Jack and Merle Hawkins, Woolooware