Media statement: 5 and 6 Wood Street, Tempe
13 August 2025
Inner West Council will today commence civil proceedings in the Land and Environment Court in response to serious concerns about fire safety at the premises of 5 and 6 Wood Street, Tempe.
Council is seeking orders to cease the use of the premises in Tempe until such time as there are adequate fire safety measures in place and the unauthorised large scale storage of tyres is addressed.
Due to the risk posed to workers, residents, and the environment if an uncontrollable fire occurred, Council is of the view that work should stop immediately while legal proceedings are carried out.
This follows a series of Local Court prosecutions against Starcorp Property Pty Limited and Taleb Property Pty Limited, the property owners of 5 and 6 Wood Street, Tempe.
On 7 February 2025, after the two companies entered guilty pleas to charges of unauthorised development and breaches of conditions of their respective development approvals, the Court convicted and fined the companies a total of $395,000.
In response to ongoing concerns about the unauthorised storage of tyres and unacceptable building conditions, a number of inspections of the premises have since been carried out.
On 13 June 2025, Fire Safety Officers from Inner West Council (IWC), in collaboration with officers from the Fire Safety Compliance Unit of Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW), conducted a joint inspection of the two properties. The inspection identified a significant fire safety risk due to the large quantity of tyres stored within the buildings, insufficient fire safety measures, and significant unauthorised works that are non-compliant with the Building Code of Australia.
Following the inspection, FRNSW has submitted its inspection report to Council. The report highlighted major concerns relating to fire safety and recommended that, “Council exercise its powers under Schedule 5 Development Control Orders. Part 1 General Orders of the EP&A Act and issue an Order 1 Stop Use Order”.
Given the seriousness of the situation, Council has decided instead to commence civil proceedings in the Land and Environment Court before a judge.
Council has also notified the Environmental Protection Authority of its concerns about the environmental impacts of a potential uncontrollable fire, and has been advised by FRNSW that worker safety concerns have been forwarded to SafeWork NSW.
Council will always act to ensure the health and safety of residents, local businesses, the community, and the environment.
Ends
For media enquiries please contact Jonny Browne, Jonny.Browne@innerwest.nsw.gov.au