Rockhampton‘s 161 on George International placed in liquidation

Five months after re-opening under new management, the company behind an iconic Central Queensland hotel has now been placed into voluntary liquidation. The day the liquidation was filed, police had been called to the property three times.

161 on George International has gone into liquidation.

Only a few months after re-opening under new management, 161 on George International at the Rockhampton Plaza Hotel has gone into liquidation.

The company, JPC Hotel Australia Pty Ltd, was filed for voluntary liquidation on April 20.

Michael Beck of Worrell Solvency & Forensic Accountants CQ has been appointed as the liquidator.

The company director was Jhona Piog Carbonel Leonard, registered to a Nerimbera address, who registered the company in February 2022.

Jhona Leonard, the new lessee of the former Rockhampton Plaza Hotel.

Ms Leonard had spoken to this publication in August 2022 about her plans to renovate the iconic hotel along the highway strip coming into Rockhampton.

The hotel was officially re-opened four months later with accommodation from $100 per day.

It featured a revived 100-seat restaurant dishing up Australian-Filipino food under the name “Mang Ben Inasal Chargrill Resto & Bar”.

161 on George posted to Facebook on the eve of the liquidation filing.

Food from the restaurant at 161 on George International.

“We regret to inform you that we no longer operate our business @161 George Street Rockhampton but we would like to thank you dear customers and patrons for supporting us to date,” it stated.

“We will keep you posted on our relocation in the near future.

“Thank you so much.”

Customers shared their disappointment in the comments, some who had visited the night before.

Vehicles could be seen in the car park on Thursday afternoon.

Details of the liquidation are unclear at this early stage including how many creditors are involved.

The day the liquidation was filed, police were called to the property three times.

“Police were called to attend George Street, Rockhampton yesterday (Thursday April 20) on three occasions, at 1.45pm, 15.30pm and 7.30pm to keep the peace in relation to a civil matter,” a Queensland Police Service spokesperson said.

“No further police action was required.”

The property remains under the ownership of James Chang, with Ms Leonard the lessee.

Mr Chang, under Chang Holdings, has owned the seven-storey property since 1996.

In 2021, Mr Chang was ordered by the court to pay Rockhampton Regional Council more than $200,000 in rates.

He also faced charges in relation to fire safety inspections at the property by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

Until last year, it had been closed since 2014.