Gold Coast development: Workers and contractors on $1b Jewel towers face uncertain future

HUNDREDS of workers and contractors on the $1 billion-plus Jewel towers face uncertain futures with redesigns causing construction delays and fuelling job loss fears.

HUNDREDS of workers and contractors on the $1 billion-plus Jewel towers face uncertain futures with redesigns causing construction delays and fuelling job loss fears.

About 50 staff from one Jewel contractor - Ingrams Shop fitting and Fine Joinery - are already casualties in upheaval at the triple-high-rise site on the Surfers Paradise beachfront.

An Ingrams spokesman said about 30 workers had been let go plus 20 factory staff off-site after a cease and desist letter from site builder Multiplex.

The Jewel site yesterday. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Another contractor confirmed he yanked his crew off the job recently to place them at other unrelated projects due to a lack of clarity about what to proceed with at Jewel.

Workers met with construction union CFMEU representatives on site for 90 minutes yesterday and afterwards some left the site with most going back on the job.

Another meeting is scheduled this morning, sending shockwaves through the 900-strong workforce and fuelling rumours cheaper labour would be brought into to finish the job.

Machinery at the Jewel site yesterday. Picture Glenn Hampson

One worker said: “I was told the developer was sacking the builder, Multiplex. So we’ll be finishing what we’re doing and leaving.

“I was told by my boss they’re giving us until Wednesday because of the public holiday then most of us will be getting the tap on the shoulder.”

Another said since new Chinese owners Yuhu Group took over - buying out Ridong and Wanda earlier this year - “it has been chaos” at the site.

He had heard Multiplex were losing the project’s ground-level podium aspects where restaurants, bars and lobbies would be installed.

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How the towers will look once completed.

“It’s all over the place. There are going to be a lot of job losses,” the worker said.

A Yuhu Group statement, revealed whilst developer Multiplex remained the “major project partner” some work would be retendered, “ensuring the Jewel hotel meets and exceeds the highest of international standards”.

“The final design and configuration elements of the lower podium levels of the hotel - excluding the 169 hotel rooms - are yet to be finalised.

Jewel workers face an uncertain future. Picture Glenn Hampson

“As a result this work will be carried out later in the construction schedule and will be subject to new tendering opportunities,” the Yuhu statement said.

“Multiplex is of course aware of these arrangements. Construction on all other areas of the development is to continue as scheduled (under Multiplex).”

Artist impression of the development’s planned garden pool area.

Coast-based Labor senator Murray Watt called on Yuhu Group to “rule out’’ replacing local workers with cheaper labour from elsewhere and give assurances staff terms and conditions wouldn’t change.

“I am extremely concerned by reports Yuhu Group may be using changes to their tendering to bring in cheaper labour,” he said.

“Yuhu Group must rule this out immediately. There are hundreds of subbies, workers and thousands of family members being left in the lurch.”

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The CFMEU flag is still flying. Picture Glenn Hampson

Despite new tenders, a Yuhu Group spokeswoman said local trades and labourers would be used: “Trades will still be sourced locally, it’s just a matter of timing really.

“The Jewel is about creating jobs and economic opportunity, not costing jobs. Regardless of scheduling, at the end of the day the work will still need to be done.”

Jewel remains on target for a 2019 finish.

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Jewel remained on target for completion in mid-2019 “under major project partner Multiplex,” Yuhu Group’s statement said.

The three towers, which recently topped out, feature 512 exclusive residences and a luxury hotel centrepiece.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s office referred inquiries to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), which said officials would visit the site to ensure appropriately licensed contractors are being used as required.

“QBCC has not received any monies-owed complaints, but if anyone working on the project has not been paid for work they’ve done, they’re urged to contact the QBCC immediately.”

A Multiplex spokeswoman declined to comment last night.