Emperor Living’s $30 million multistorey project at Mawson Lakes at centre of investigation into potential licence breaches
The construction of a $30 million apartment, retail and office building in Adelaide’s north has been suspended over potential licence breaches.
North & North East
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Construction work has stopped on a $30 million apartment, retail and office building in Adelaide’s north amid an investigation into potential licence breaches, according to the state’s consumer watchdog.
A Consumer and Business Services spokeswoman, responding to queries from The Advertiser as to whether work had stopped on the Emperor Living project owing to licence concerns, “confirmed” staff had visited the Mawson Lakes site this month and that “works have ceased pending further investigations”.
The eight-storey building — a mixture of apartments, offices and shops on the corner of Metro Parade and Main Street — would be the tallest building in Adelaide’s northern suburbs when completed.
Barbaro Builders company director Francesco Barbaro hung up on The Advertiser on Sunday when asked to discuss the licensing matter and construction progress.
The Advertiser has made another attempt to contact him for comment.
Barbaro Builders is licensed to national construction code Class 10 residential building work not exceeding four storeys, according to licence details held with CBS.
Mr Barbaro is licensed as a building work supervisor for the company.
He is licensed to supervise Class 2-9 commercial building work including apartments, offices, shops, car parks, factories and Class 10 residential work not exceeding four storeys.
Salisbury Council classified the development as a Class 2-9 project for approval purposes.
The project — featuring 63 apartments including four penthouses priced at $1 million — was lodged with council in March 2014 and approved by a council planning officer in June 2016.
Residents have become frustrated at the pace of construction with the Northern Messenger reporting last month that the project’s completion date had been pushed out by 14 months to March 2020.
Salisbury mayor Gillian Aldridge said she was unaware of any licensing issues with Barbaro Builders.
“I am surprised there is any licensing problem because he (Franceso) is a very experienced builder,” she said.
“ I think that the development is going to be quite amazing. I have great faith in him (Francesco) as a developer.”
She said if there were any licensing problems they were “probably an oversight”.
Ms Aldridge, who lives in Mawson Lakes, said she drove past the construction site every day and had seen workers.
Barbaro Builders donated $3000 towards Ms Aldridge’s successful 2014 re-election campaign.
A council spokeswoman said the council did not check licensing when granting development approval.
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