The RekDek has Problems and they're Serious

This website is to provide information to owners of apartments in Yarra's Edge on the issues with the RekDek

Why are you here?

You may have seen one of our emails or flyers or someone you know has sent you a link.  

This page is to provide information to owners about the issues with the RekDek located in Building 1 at 50 Lorimer Street.

 

  1. We want you to be aware of the problems with the RekDek
  2. We want you to be informed of progress and status
  3. We want you to have a say

 

Scroll down to learn more about the problems with the RekDek and what you can do.

What are the Problems with the RekDek?

  • The RekDek has serious structural problems that require immediate attention.
    • These structural problems have been caused by the RekDek Pool and OC2 (the Owners Corporation for the RekDek) has acknowledged that the Owners Corporation is responsible for the repairs.
    • Whilst a final cost has not been determined it is expected to be of a magnitude that will require a Special Levy and/or Loan to pay for the rectification.  A Special Levy is one where you, as an owner of an apartment in Yarra's Edge will have to pay a lump sum to fund this project.  This Special Levy will be in addition to your quarterly OC2 RekDek levies.
  • In addition to the structural problems, the waterproof membrane has failed and the pool is leaking. All tiles need to be ripped up and replaced.
    • This is a significant job
    • Similarly, this work doesn't have a final price yet but is expected to result in a Special Levy and/or Loan.  There are insufficient funds in the RekDek Maintenance Fund to pay for the work required.
  • The cost to fix the above problems is unclear but preliminary estimates are between $4million and $7million
  • As an owner you could be facing a bill (Special Levy) of $5,000 to $13,000* in addition to your normal RekDek (OC2) fees.
    • * It is anticipated a Special Levy will be raised to fund the works required with the amount payable by each apartment most likely calculated on size (number of bedrooms).
  • It is very important for us to be aware that the issues faced by the RekDek are not the fault of the Owners Corporation (OC2).  Members of the Owners Corporation Number 2 Committee are fellow owners and volunteer their time and expertise.  We thank them for their efforts.

 

Get more information from the Whittles OC2 Portal by clicking the button below to view the following

Inspection, Engineering & Project Reports

  • Click Documents from the left hand menu
  • Click Reports & Registers from the menu

Meeting Notices and Minutes from AGM and Committee meetings

  • Click Documents from the left hand menu
  • Click Notices & Minutes 

Who are we?

We're a group of interested and concerned owners in Tower 4 (80 Lorimer Street).  The RekDek problems were first raised by Dennis O'Hara who contacted others he knew and setup a meeting in October 2025.  Several owners attended this meeting and from this, a core group was setup.  This group included Dennis, Phil Hickmott, Ken Harvey and Mark Hooper - all from Tower 4.

  • Subsequent to the first meeting, the core group met to discuss informing other owners in Tower 4....and the wider Yarra's Edge - towers 1 to 8......and well - here you are!
  • In early November 2025, the core group met with the OC2 Chairperson, Tom Borcsok, Whittles OC2 Manager, Michael Platt and RekDek building manager, David Morgan. where Tom presented the current status of the RekDek 'problems' along with the Road Map.
  • The RekDek OC2 Annual General Meeting was scheduled for Tuesday 11 November 2025 but was postponed at short notice.  Whilst disappointing, this provides us the opportunity to get you onboard.  
    • What does get you onboard mean?  It's as simple as ensuring that you are aware and informed so there's no very bad surprise when it's all too late.  Ultimately we'd like to you get involved and attend the Owners Corporation meetings where we can have a say and influence the outcomes, but we are well aware that many people don't have the time....and let's be honest - it's boring so we ask that you nominate a proxy to vote on your behalf at OC meetings. 

Action Centre

Keep up to Date

Tell us who you are so we can keep you up to date with RekDek issues







Nominate a Proxy

Getting involved doesn't mean you have to attend all the meetings.  You can nominate a proxy to vote on your behalf.  This can be someone you know who attends or one of us.

Click the button below to download the proxy form.  Instructions are included.

Ask a Question

What to ask a question or make a comment.....or just vent?  Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch.







Get more Info

Need more information?  Click the Read more link below to view documents and links about the RekDek problems.

You will be transferred to the Whittles (OC Manager) portal.  You will need to login (or register to login).

Is this Worth Doing?

Good question.....Firstly, the structural problems to the poolside wall of building 1 (50 Lorimer St) have been caused by the RekDek pool.  The Owners Corporation is responsible for rectifying these problems.  As for the rest, the question "Is this Worth Doing" should be seriously explored.  Consider the following:

 

  • The RekDek has gym staff to run classes and programs. Over the last year there were 2839 people who attended a class or program.  With the yearly cost of the gym staff (from a company called JIT) at $126,499 the cost for a person to attend a class is $44.56. 
    • The average number of people who turn up to a class is 2.1 - yes, just 2.1 people per class
    • In the last year, 1204 classes were scheduled, but only 838 classes were run!  Why? - because no one turned up.  That would be ok except as an owner at Yarra's Edge, you still pay.

 

  • The total RekDek budget costs (for both Administration and Maintenance) for the last year was $1,027,857. Usage figures for the RekDek (that’s the number of people using it) show there were approximately 39,300 attendances in the past year.  With budget costs of $1,027,857 the per attendance visit cost is $26.11. 
    • Compare this to a Platinum membership to Goodlife Gym - that's 90 gyms for $24 a week
    • How is this Value for Money?  These costs need to be reduced.

 

  • The budgeted electricity, gas, water and air-conditioning costs are $452 per day! $450 a day to turn the lights on is not value for money.

 

The current running costs of the RekDek are completely non commercial – that’s before any of the costs related to the Major Issues are taken into account.  Imagine the costs once $4 to $7million is spent....and that cost is one you will have to pay for.

 

We want Value for Money so believe we need to question all spending and explore all options

What We're Asking For?

The RekDek problems are serious and will cost a significant amount of money to correct.  We want to minimise spend and get Value for Money.  To this end we want

1. Communication from RekDek OC2 Committee

 

The RekDek Pool and Façade Rectification issue has a long history and is complex.  Many owners are likely unaware (or only partially aware) of the issue but don’t understand nor are particularly interested, except when they hear possible rectification figures of $7m after which they start to take a keener interest.  A one page explainer of the issue with a link to further information (i.e., a link to the Whittles portal) will help.  This one pager can be emailed to owners and displayed in prominent positions, e.g., lifts. 

 

The one pager needs to state:

  1. The problems – outline the 2 issues, i.e., structural building problem caused by the pool and the waterproofing problem resulting pool leak.
  2. Where are we now – brief statement on what’s happening now, i.e., bracing of wall, obtain design quotes etc
  3. Road forward – this needs to include Order of Magnitude cost ($4m??), impacts (special levy etc) and timeline (2026??)

 

2. Options on resolution of RekDek Pool and Façade Rectification

 

We ask that the plan to resolve the current RekDek Pool and Façade issues be taken to a vote of members (that's you) before a plan is approved and work commenced.  It must be clear that OC2 has a liability to correct the structural problems created by the pool however other work has options on what to do. 

 

Options could or should include:

  1. Do nothing – this is the most common option selected but in our case this is not a viable as OC2 has accepted liability for the structural issues to building 1 (OC3) and must correct these.
    1. The budget cost is $0
    2. Liability against OC2 members in the event of failure is to the core group - unclear but it can't be positive
  2. Only undertake the minimum work required to correct the Façade structural issues caused by the pool. No other work would be undertaken and the pool would be decommissioned. 
    1. The budget cost is $1.8m+ (to be determined)
    2. The pool area could be used for other purposes in the future but would require investment of funds to suit this new purpose.
    3. Annual OC2 contributions would reduce by some amount assuming less gas, electricity etc would be required 
  3. Undertake all structural / Façade work required (as per OC2 liability) as well as all Pool rectification including tiling, waterproofing etc etc
    1. The budget cost is $4m-$7m 
    2. Pool would be closed for ‘x’ months
    3. Annual OC2 levies would increase for 5 years to pay for pool rectification loan (assuming a loan and special levy would be used)
  4. Undertake minimum façade structural work then close the RekDek facility and seek a sale or commercial lease (either as a gym or other facility)
    1. The budget cost is $1.8m (to be determined)
    2. Additional cost to lease / sell the facility, e.g., make good, lease/sale costs
    3. OC2 payments would cease once the above is complete. Assume that members would receive a rebate if the facility is sold/leased.

3. Seek all possible cost reduction strategies

Given the RekDek costs $26.11 every time someone uses the facility and the budget is $450 per day to just open the RekDek we ask that the OC2 Committee seek all opportunities to reduce cost.  

The first strategy to reduce cost could be to not renew the contract of the external gym / fitness company (JIT) when it expires on 4 February 2026 to run group fitness classes and programs which are very poorly attended.  This service is not value for money and could save $126,000 per year.