QBCC orders Woolooga Solar Farm builder to pay subbie $109k

A Sunshine Coast-based subcontractor who has already been awarded more than $1 million for unpaid work on a multimillion-dollar regional Queensland solar farm has chalked up a third win on the project.

A Sunshine Coast-based subbie who has already been awarded more than $1 million for unpaid work on a a multimillion-dollar regional Qld solar farm has chalked up a third win on the project.

A subcontractor engaged in a prolonged battle with the construction company at a regional Queensland solar farm over non-payment has had another victory, with the company ordered to pay out another six-figure sum.

PCL Constructors Pacific Rim has been ordered by the state’s building watchdog to pay Palmgrove Holdings (which trades as Carruthers Contracting) $109,016.60 over the latest claim lodged by the Sunshine Coast-based subcontractor.

It is the third win for Palmgrove Holdings, which has previously been awarded more than $1.6 million from two earlier decisions for its work at the Woolooga Solar Farm project about 30km northwest of Gympie.

In November 2022 the Queensland Building and Construction Commission found PCL owed Palmgrove $1.3 million in unpaid work.

Then in July 2023, Palmgrove won a second battle over the job, this time for more than $300,000.

Sunshine Coast-based subcontractor Palmgrove Holdings has now won three adjudication claims for unpaid work on the Woolooga Solar Farm, located about 30km northwest of Gympie.

The latest OBCC decision, published online, says the latest claim centred on work done by Palmgrove upgrading roads which accessed the site.

It was seeking final payment for completion of these works.

Adjudicator Edward Smithies rejected PCL Construction’s claims the amounts had already been paid and was “more convinced” by Palmgrove’s submission.

PCL was ordered to pay the entire cost incurred by the adjudication.

Palmgrove Holdings’ owner Jim Carruthers declined comment.

PCL has been approached for comment.