Gold Coast Jewel developer Yuhu Group tells workers ‘talk to Multiplex’

DEVELOPER Yuhu Group expects work to be in “full swing” at its troubled Gold Coast beachfront Jewel towers, saying construction scheduling is up to building partner Multiplex.

DEVELOPER Yuhu Group expects work to be in “full swing” at its troubled Gold Coast beachfront Jewel towers, saying construction scheduling is up to building partner Multiplex.

The Chinese development company is putting responsibility onto Multiplex for last week’s upheaval at the triple towers where workers and contractors quit the site or lost their jobs.

YUHU GROUP DIRECTOR: ‘FOCUS ON KITES TODAY’

Last week, Yuhu Group said it was still finalising designs and configuration on lower level podium and hotel work, which would be put back in the construction schedule.

Work at the Jewel triple towers on the Surfers Paradise beachfront should be “in full swing” according to developer Yuhu Group. Picture Glenn Hampson

In a statement yesterday, Yuhu Group Australia said: “Rescheduling should be in place so that works may commence on other remaining parts of construction to avoid delay in the whole project delivery.

“Site management and work scheduling have been entrusted to our construction partner. We expect on-site construction to be in full swing so an exceptional product of the highest quality and standard can be delivered to the city of the Gold Coast as early as possible.”

Yuhu Group spokeswoman Jingxin Lin also told the Bulletin yesterday Yuhu Group was confused about why workers on the site were surprised at the current situation: “It is not our site, it is Multiplex’s site and they have known the plan all along.

JEWEL TOWER IN TURMOIL AS WORKERS WALK OFF

Yuhu Group spokeswoman Jingxin Lin with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate at Jewel triple towers’ topping out ceremony recently when all three towers reached their full height on the Surfers Paradise beachfront. Picture: Regina King

“We are waiting for a full report on the situation as well.”

A Multiplex spokeswoman said a statement in response would be forthcoming yesterday but later texted to say it would not and the company may comment today.

Work all but appeared to dry up at the site last week, with more than 100 workers believed to have been given their marching orders. One contractor was forced to axe about 50 staff both on and off site. Another said he yanked his crew from Jewel to focus on other projects due to no clarity about what to proceed with.

Workers held a small protest on Sunday during the family-friendly Jewel International Kite Festival but warned it was the “calm before the storm” if a further 300 jobs dried up as anticipated this week.

Work on the Jewel towers dried up last week as workers were given their marching orders and other contractors walked off the job amid confusion about what to proceed with.

Yuhu’s Ms Lin added: “For any potential delayed payment to the workers on the part of (Mulitplex), Yuhu is ready to provide full support to the union and Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) in their investigation to safeguard rights and interests of the workers.

“We are here to stay and to create more job hours. Everything we do at the project is to make it better, for our own pride and also for the city of Gold Coast.”

MAYOR TOM TATE WADES INTO JEWEL, YUHU GROUP PROTESTS

Josh Ryan is one of the workers who has lost his job at Jewel — he had been on site just a fortnight and had anticipated working there until April, next year. Now he and his partner Bobbie-Leigh Cable are looking elsewhere. Photo by Richard Gosling

JEWEL DEVELOPER YUHU GROUP HOSTS KITE FESTIVAL

The three stunning crystalline towers — recently described by one source close to the project as among the “most over-specced buildings ever designed” — are home to a 169-room hotel and 512 apartments.

Yuhu Group has said it is weeks away from identifying a hotel operator for the Surfers Paradise beachfront site.

“We are conducting an international selection process to identify a world-class hotel operator for the luxury five-star hotel component of the Jewel project,” Ms Lin said.

“As is common industry practice, Yuhu will take guidance from the chosen operator when finalising design and configuration elements to ensure the hotel also reflects the operator’s signature characteristics and feel.

“Therefore, some changes to the contract to allow scope for these provisions are to be expected. We have communicated this with Multiplex and have kept them up-to-date with developments in this regard,” she added.