Gloves off in $1.4bn Jewel saga
THE Jewel developer claims it gave lead builder Multiplex a green light to publicly explain holdups a week ago – but striking workers say that’s rubbish.
The gloves have come off after a week of upheaval leaving tradies and contractors at the $1.4 billion beachfront highrises uncertain about their futures or next pay cheque.
As the bulk quit in protest yesterday morning, developer Yuhu Group Australia went on the offensive.
It accused Multiplex of being the one keeping the public and workers in the dark.
A Yuhu spokeswoman told the Bulletin it had sent a letter to Multiplex on Thursday last week freeing them up to talk publicly.
“We wanted to know what was going on as well – and have it explained to the public,” the spokeswoman said before adding: “On September 27, Yuhu has encouraged Multiplex to provide a media release but that didn’t occur.”
But disgruntled Jewel workers yesterday said Multiplex representatives had told them they were in the dark too.
“Multiplex don’t know what Yuhu want so they can’t tell us what to do,” one tradie said.
“Yuhu keep trying to blame it on getting a hotel operator but that is bulls--t.”
Union official Scott Vink said: “They have said it is about the hotel but that is just one of the three towers and they have also stopped work on the two private towers.”
He said tradies and subcontractors were getting no information TIMELINE
Wednesday, last week:
Upheaval becomes public;
■ Contractor axes 50 on and off-site staff, another yanks crew;
■ Rumours main build partner Multiplex has been sacked;
■ Developer Yuhu Group says Multiplex to remain “major partner” but some retendered;
■ Yuhu says design of lower podium areas, hotel still being finalised
Thursday:
Groups of tradies quit site as work dries up;
■ Yuhu Group says mid-2019 finish still on track.
Insider says finishing Jewel – “one of the most overspecced buildings ever designed” – was always going to be difficult.
Yuhu Group says it expects work on site to be “in full swing”: “Rescheduling should be in place so works may commence on other remaining parts of construction to avoid delay.”
Friday: Monday:
from Yuhu or Multiplex.
Union heavyweight Michael Ravbar said Yuhu didn’t know what it wanted now.
“Multiplex say they can’t talk because of contracts. They are the principal contractor and they hold all the money in regards to paying all the subcontractors, and all the workers,” he said.
“For them to try and make no public comment is not acceptable either.”
The Bulletin asked Multiplex about the September 27 instructions from Yuhu Group to issue a media release but – as as been the case for a week – it did not comment.
The triple towers – which topped out at 41, 47 and 34 storeys six weeks ago – resembled a ghost town by yesterday afternoon with work all but at a standstill.
Yuhu Group has previously explained the designs of showpiece lower podium levels were still being finalised as are hotel elements – and it planned to retender for some work.
A hotel operator was still to be confirmed but expected within weeks, it has said.
The middle tower is home to a 169-room hotel while all up the three towers will house 512 apartments.
In response to Bulletin questions, Yuhu Group yesterday further clarified previous developer Wanda-Ridong was intending to manage the hotel – and interior design and fit out “was carried out to their specifications”.
“It has become clear a new international hotel operator is required. Yuhu will take guidance from the chosen operator when finalising design and configuration elements to ensure the hotel also reflects the operator’s signature and feel.
“While this is happening we have acted in strict accordance with our legal advice and the contract to put on hold some of the works to avoid construction delays and to provide clarity to the head contractor Multiplex.
“We have in turn requested that Multiplex communicate with their subcontractors.”
Yuhu Group said cost-wise it preferred not to make changes but it was inevitable a new hotel operator would “impose their own mark”.