Grocon told to front up

OUT-OF-POCKET Commonwealth Games athletes village subbies are challenging site developer Grocon to front a meeting of affected creditors this morning.

Owners and staff from a dozen subcontractors potentially caught short in the collapse of Ware Building Pty Ltd are gathering to work out their next move.

Grocon announced the liquidation of Ware Building last week, saying Ware had assured it all due debts were paid.

But so far five companies with unpaid invoices claim they are owed between $45,000 and $200,000 each.

A spokesman for Games Minister Kate Jones has said Grocon has a banking guarantee to draw down on for “exactly

this purpose” and advised any unpaid subcontractors to contact Grocon.

Civic Shower Screens owner Lance Styles yesterday said his company was still owed $90,000 for work it did at the Games village.

He joins Westwood Workshop cabinetry firm, A1 Interior Linings, Vision electrical and waterproofed Danlaid Contracting chasing bills.

Mr Styles’s firm installed shower screens for 82 Games village townhouses, overseen by Ware.

“We are big enough to survive but some aren’t as big,” Mr Styles said.

“State Government does nothing. They won’t do anything to legislate to stop builders finishing jobs and going under. If Grocon have any brains they will turn up to this meeting, have some suggestions for what is going to happen,” Mr Styles said.

The liquidator says Ware has outstanding claims against Grocon for $1m plus $1m in retention payments.

Grocon has declined to comment on an allegation it hit Ware with a $2.5m claim before it collapsed and has said it is liaising with subcontractors as a “high priority”.

Grocon did not respond to Bulletin questions yesterday.