GLOVES OFF IN JEWEL STOUSH
THIS is the progress so far on the showpiece lower levels of the Gold Coast’s biggest construction site.
But when work will start again to complete the $1.4 billion Jewel triple towers in Surfers Paradise is unclear.
As the bulk of the 900 tradies quit the site yesterday, developer Yuhu Group claimed it had encouraged builder Multiplex to publicly explain work delays a week ago. But furious tradies said Multiplex was in the dark as much as anyone about what Yuhu wanted done.
JEWEL builder Multiplex has written to the State Government confirming it intends to meet all its obligations to subcontractors.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni last night told the Bulletin he had been assured by the builders of the Gold Coast’s biggest development that subcontractors would be paid what they were owed.
He also confirmed the state’s construction watchdog was taking action after contractors reported they were unsure if they would be paid.
“I have received written confirmation from Multiplex that it is their intent to meet all their obligations to subcontractors,” Mr de Brenni said.
“I have received a written confirmation from Yuhu Group that it will meet its contractual obligations to Multiplex, and further that all nonreturnable supplies purchased by suppliers and contractors will be paid for.
“(However) the QBCC Commissioner has today received information directly from contractors working on the Jewel site that they are unsure if they are going to get paid, and the QBCC is taking action.”
Gold Coast Federal MP Steven Ciobo urged the developer and major builder of the troubled $1.4 billion Jewel towers not to leave the 900-strong workforce “in limbo”.
Mr Ciobo, who lives near the Surfers Paradise beachfront development as the Member for Moncrieff, yesterday called on developer Yuhu Group and major build partner Multiplex to provide “clarity” for workers and contractors.
Mr Ciobo aimed a verbal rocket at both parties, saying: “It’s clear there is a complete vacuum of any real information between Multiplex and the developer and that in turn is spreading uncertainty and rumours among the workforce.
“What is critically required now is a clarifying statement from the developer and the builder about what is going on in the future.
“That is going to help alleviate concern; that is going to help to put to bed rumourmongering and provide those workers – even if it’s bad news – some certainty.”
Mr Ciobo said while the capital for the triple towers seemed to be Chinese, it did not matter where it was coming from: “What matters is workers know what is going on with the job and workers know what they can expect.
“I appeal to all the parties to fill that information vacuum with factual information so workers know what’s going on.
“Clarity from the developer, the builder, is what is critical to provide that labour force with the certainty that is coming in the days, weeks and months to come … even if the news isn’t great at least they can do the right thing by the labour force of letting them know what is going to happen.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, who has said workers should thank Yuhu Group for taking over the project or they would have lost their jobs months ago, declined to mediate between Yuhu and Multiplex yesterday.
“This is a matter between the owner and head contractor. I have every confidence this project will be delivered to the highest standard and will become an iconic signature development for our city,” he said.
I HAVE RECEIVED A WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FROM YUHU GROUP THAT IT WILL MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS TO MULTIPLEX, AND FURTHER THAT ALL NONRETURNABLE SUPPLIES PURCHASED BY SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS WILL BE PAID FOR. HOUSING MINISTER MICK DE BRENNI