GOING FOR GOLD
The Metricon is getting ready for the Commonwealth Games – and the Bulletin is too. With just over 200 days to go to the opening ceremony grass has been stripped from the stadium to make way for the running track and extra seating. Today we launch ‘Go for the Games’ – a new weekly feature bringing you all the latest news as excitement builds for the sporting extravaganza.
QUEENSLAND’S building regulator is investigating whether to cancel the building licence of the key Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village contractor after yesterday forbidding it from taking on new business.
Grocon Constructors (Qld) Pty Ltd is a month away from handing the $550 million village to Games organisers, is building a 168-unit tower at 27 Old Burleigh Rd in Surfers Paradise, and has plans for other major projects in Brisbane.
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission yesterday added a condition to the company’s licence saying it “must not provide tenders or quotes, or enter into any new contracts, for the performance of building work as defined in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 until it is notified in writing by QBCC”.
A statement from the watchdog late yesterday said it was “determining if the company meets its licensing obligations”.
“The QBCC has not received any money owed complaints from subcontractors or suppliers in relation to Grocon Constructors (Qld) Pty Ltd,” the regulator said.
Despite the probe, Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the QBCC decision would not impact Grocon’s delivery of the Parklands project.
“The project remains on track for handover to GOLDOC in early October,” she said.
A statement from Grocon’s public relations firm said the restriction would not affect the Athletes’ Village project but would not elaborate on why they’d been restricted or how long they would be restricted.
“This is a matter that Grocon had previously advised the QBCC would be rectified,” the statement said.
Last month Grocon agreed to pay $1,002,500 to 29 subbies, left out of pocket when village subcontractor Ware Building Pty Ltd went into liquidation.
Subcontractor advocate John Goddard, of subbiesunited.com.au, was concerned small businesses on the Gold Coast could be left holding the can if Grocon’s woes intensify.
“If the QBCC are still allowing them to trade, I would hope they have something in place to ensure subbies get paid for the work that is ongoing,” he said.
“If the worst should happen and Grocon should fail, that million dollars they paid out to (Ware Building) subbies may have to be returned as preferential payments.”
The individual licence holder of the Grocon Constructors Qld, Melbournebased Daniel Grollo, is executive director of parent company Grocon Pty Ltd.
He was also licensee for two other Grocon companies, Grocon Constructors Pty Ltd and Grocon Developments (Parklands) Pty Ltd, which no longer have licences.
Grocon Constructors (Qld) is licensed for constructions up to $240 million in value in any financial year. It has no records of bans, disqualifications or demerit points.
Games chairman Peter Beattie said the village was not Goldoc’s responsibility until next month’s handover.
“I’m happy to take responsibility for matters within our control but we don’t have the village until October 1,” he said.