Tradies in Games win

FINALLY some good news for the Gold Coast’s embattled tradies.

All the subcontractors – except one – caught up in the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village debacle have now been paid what they were owed by builder Grocon.

Grocon is understood to have withheld almost $40,000 from just one sub-contractor for failing to attend to defects, which is not being disputed by the subbie, a source said.

It comes as subcontractors on the stalled Jewel site await developer Yuhu Group’s finalisation of designs.

The Bulletin asked Games Minister Kate Jones during the weekend if Grocon had made good on its promise to pay the village subcontractors.

Twenty-nine subbies were left more than a $1 million out of pocket when one of the project’s major contractors, Ware Building, collapsed.

The unpaid tradies were left desperate to be paid but there was little traction until Games Minister Kate Jones stepped in and ordered Grocon to pay up.

“From day one we’ve made it clear that we expected Grocon to pay it’s subbies,” Ms

The athletes came from a range of sporting backgrounds and had just one day to impress the team of 14 NFL evaluators.

For an exceptional few, it means attending the NFL’s International Pathway Program in Florida, giving them a shot at being drafted into one of the NFL’s 32 professional clubs.

Among those taking part was Fijian farmer Philip George Brown.

“I was working on the farm and my cousin came and told me to try out,” he said. “Next thing I was asked if I could come to the Gold Coast to do more drills.”

Athletes will learn before Christmas if they have been selected to progress. Jones said yesterday.

“It’s great to hear Grocon have now paid their subcontractors for work on the Athletes’ Village site.”

Junior Cioastla Masonry owner Bruce Alker was among those who were owed thousands for their work.

“I think Grocon did the right thing,” he said. “They paid me every cent I was owed.”

Fellow subbie Emanuel Ibrahim, of EGI Tile Contractors, said he also had a positive experience getting back the about $100,000 he was owed.

Grocon did not return requests for comment.