Melbourne City Council will push the next federal government to establish a relief fund for building owners forced to bear the financial brunt of the flammable cladding crisis.

The push comes as Planning Minister Richard Wynne said he did not see a need for a Royal Commission into the building industry, saying “the work’s been done”.

Fire quickly took hold at the Neo200 tower on February 4. Credit:Jason South

Residents of high-risk buildings have told The Age of their dismay at learning they had to foot the bill for removing combustible cladding, saying they couldn’t afford the unexpected cost.

Melbourne City Council said the cost was one of the biggest obstacles in rectifying buildings with combustible cladding and the Commonwealth was best placed to assist with the cost.