Work resumes on inner-city site as developer makes peace with union

Building industry insiders believe it was the CFMEU really behind sit-ins at a luxury high-rise inner-Brisbane development. But the Public Works Minister continues to lump blame on the Greens.

An inner Brisbane building site Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said was under siege from local greenies — not militant unionists — is back on track after the developer struck a deal with the construction union after months of bullying tactics and demonstrations.

The Courier-Mail understands Pradella workers on the West End site have been forced into signing enterprise bargaining agreements by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union to end the four-month stalemate after relentless intimidation tactics and blockades.

Men protesting the Pradella site in July.

Building industry sources believe the CFMEU has been orchestrating the sit-ins at The Lanes luxury high-rise development on Ferry Rd since April, but in recent weeks work has resumed and there has been no sign of protesters on site.

Work continues at the Pradella development at West End. Picture: Liam Kidston

Last month, Mr de Brenni — a former union official himself — was reluctant to condemn the actions of the protesters before shifting the blame towards the Greens.

When asked about the dispute ceasefire on Tuesday, he refused to answer if he now accepted the CFMEU was involved in the delays and again pointed the finger at the Greens.

“When asked about the project in question (in July) I didn’t have any specific or validated information then, nor do I now, but I can confirm that the Greens continue to block 30,000 desperately needed homes from being built,” he told The Courier-Mail.

Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni in Question Time last week. Picture: Glenn Campbell/NCA NewsWire

“The Greens should stop playing politics, teaming up with the Liberals and Nationals, causing real harm to everyday Aussies just trying to find a safe and affordable place to call home.”

In a statement, Pradella said it was “very pleased” the protests at its West End construction site had been resolved, but would not elaborate on how it was resolved.

“The crane has been erected on the site and construction is once again under way,” the statement said.

“These delays were certainly frustrating for Pradella and, more importantly, for our home buyers and subcontractors.

“We made a commitment that we would work to resolve the issue and get work started again as soon as possible, and that’s what we’ve been able to do.”

An artist’s impression of the rooftop area of The Lanes

Developers, who do not wish to be named for fear of retaliation from the CFMEU, say they are being held to ransom by the union in Queensland.

Pradella took the extraordinary step of paying “special duty” police officers to work on their days off and overtime to protect the site during the protests.

In its latest email to buyers in the West End project, the developer said it was happy to advise “the crane has now been erected on the site, and construction is once again underway at The Lanes”.

“As you know, the project has encountered some delays and uncertainty in recent months, due to the activities of a number of people calling themselves community protesters.

“We know this was frustrating for you and it certainly was the same for us. Most frustrating was the fact that we weren’t able to communicate with you as fully or as often as we would have liked to, due to sensitive negotiations to end the stalemate.

“You’ll now see a significant increase in construction activity at The Lanes in the coming weeks. Once we are back to full-scale construction, we will be able to make a more accurate estimate of the likely settlement dates, and we will be back in touch with you in due course.”

The CFMEU refused to comment.