Subbies tee off at builder
THE builder of the Gold Coast’s latest theme park attraction has told subbies they may only be paid half of their contracts after a financial dispute.
Directors from the Brisbanebased construction company Astute Projects Pty Ltd have sent a letter out where they forecast “we can return between 50-60 cents in the dollar to subcontractors” at the $35 million Topgolf project at Oxenford.
The payment dispute, which is being monitored by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, does not involve Village Roadshow or the US-based Top Golf.
The Bulletin sought comment from the QBCC after being contacted by concerned subbies waiting on a contract payments of up to $500,000.
A QBCC spokesperson said investigators visited the site on Tuesday to talk to subcontractors about their options.
The QBCC immediately issued conditions on Astute Projects Pty Ltd including not taking any more work, providing detailed financial infor- mation and evidence that creditors were being paid properly.
“We will be closely monitoring the company’s financial position. If anyone is owed money, they’re urged to submit a moneys-owed complaint via our website,” the QBCC spokesperson said.
The Brisbane-based directors of Astute Projects have not returned calls but they issued a letter to subbies last Friday with “our proposed strategy for the company going forward”.
They admitted to becoming concerned in mid-May about the company’s cash flow position after a blowout in the contract, and sought advice on how to trade out of the crisis and repay debts.
“However after careful consideration and analysis of the various scenarios we do not believe this is possible,” they wrote.
“We are deeply disappointed by the situation the company is currently in and deeply sorry for the position the current situation puts subcontractors in.
“After taking into consideration estimated available resources and current subcontractor debts we estimate that we can return between 50-60 cents in the dollar to subcontractors.
“We will write to individual subcontractors shortly to set out the estimated return and proposed timing of payments.”
Construction, Mining Forestry and Energy Union Gold Coast official Scott Vink said workers had begun complaining about not being paid about six months ago.
“We are dealing with members at the moment trying to get them paid. Queensland Building and Construction Commission is now investigating,” Mr Vink said.
“They will be in touch with subcontractors and the builder. This is a disgrace. There are too many workers being underpaid or not paid at all, which in turn just doesn’t affect them and their families but the whole community at large.
“Wage theft is a crime that needs to be punished, not ignored.”
The new Topgolf tourist attraction on a 6ha lot next to Movie World will feature golf games for all ages and skill levels.