HOW TO ENTER OUR TINNIE COMPETITION, P26 GET HOOKED: OUR NEW ‘COAST FISHING’ SECTION WITH LUKE BRADNAM, P26-27 Grocon to pay subbies
DEVELOPER Grocon has given the State Government assurances subbies left out of pocket by the collapse of contractor Ware Building will be paid for their work on the Commonwealth Games Village.
The developer will meet with the subcontractors onsite at midday today to discuss their claims.
Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones demanded to meet with Grocon after it emerged at least 13 tradies were owed between $18,000 and $200,000 each.
It is understood that at the meeting yesterday, Grocon promised all subbies who could produce invoices and prove they had not been paid would be reimbursed.
Grocon CEO Craig Mitchell said they had been working behind the scenes to find out who the impacted subbies were and what they were owed.
“Now we are in a position to understand their claims we look forward to a constructive discussion tomorrow,” he said.
Ms Jones said the meeting was a step in the right direction. “We want to do the right thing by these subbies,” she said.
The Minister said earlier in the week she was angry and frustrated by Grocon’s handling of the situation. She said after the meeting she was confident the developer would work with the subcontractors.
State Development Minister Anthony Lynham said the department would attend a liquidator’s meeting next week and would be able to fully brief any subbies who could not make the meeting.
“As I have already committed, we will continue to support all subbies through this process,” Dr Lynham said.
“Where they’ve got legitimate claims for payment they should be paid.”
The past few days have proven frustrating for subcontractors left in the dark.
“I haven’t been told anything at this stage,” EGI Tile Contractors owner Emanuel Ibrahim said.
“I haven’t heard much.” Austwide Concrete owner Dale Martin said he was also in the dark.
“I haven’t heard anything and I don’t know what to believe,” he said.