The Opal Tower owners corporation announced the 36‑storey complex is defect‑free at a ceremony on October 10, 2026, after eight years of rectification work. The announcement comes after the Supreme Court settlement of the class action against the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the installation of a 20‑year structural warranty.
On Christmas Eve 2018, cracks appeared in the building’s façade, triggering an emergency evacuation of thousands of residents. Authorities halted all occupancy while forensic engineers assessed the extent of the damage.
A technical investigation commissioned by the New South Wales Government identified construction and material deficiencies as the root cause. Repair work involved consulting firms, the original builder, and structural specialists to reinforce load‑bearing walls and replace compromised concrete.
The Supreme Court case Terry Williamson v Sydney Olympic Park Authority, filed in 2019, culminated in a settlement that included compensation for displaced owners. Additional litigation over repair costs and liability further delayed the building’s reopening.
Owners corporation chairman Shady Eskander said the project now meets safety standards, and residents have begun moving back. A displaced family from Unit 27‑12, who had lived there since 2015, returned this week after months of uncertainty. The long‑haul repair saga has sparked national debate over housing quality and regulatory oversight.