Mystery surrounds Wheelers Hill Bellenden Apartments project as development lies abandoned

A major Monash development site with more than 100 apartments and townhouses could sit abandoned for months, with fresh details revealing workers on the site are allegedly owed millions.

Mystery surrounds the future of Bellenden Apartments in Wheelers Hill.

Fears are growing a major development could sit abandoned for months, with workers on the site revealing they are allegedly owed millions of dollars.

The Leader reported on Tuesday, Kingcon Constructions behind the exclusive Bellenden Apartments project on 820-830 Ferntree Gully Rd, Wheelers Hill, had online records listing it as “permanently closed”.

The company’s landline also rang out several times when Leader had attempted to make contact.

Bellenden Apartments’ official website has also been shutdown, with a message saying “domain not found”.

The project, which is one of the largest developments in Wheelers Hill, including 106 residences including 52 apartments and 54 townhouses.

A post on Kingcon’s Facebook page on January 30 also suggests the company has been taken to VCAT.

“Never showed up with VCAT hearing. It only shows they are running away. I am looking for the next step,” the post said.

Developer Ouson Group, who is understood to have become involved with the development more than a year ago, has the project completion date listed on its website by mid-2020.

But in a response from Kingcon Construction senior project manager Neil Medhurst, he alleged Ouson Group had run out of money and could not complete the project.

“I can confirm that both Kingcon Constructions and our subcontractor cohort are owed millions of dollars,” Mr Medhurst said.

“Kingcon Constructions maintains that our contracts have been unlawfully terminated and we will be seeking redress in our own right and on behalf of our subcontractors,” he said.

The Bellenden Apartments site in Wheelers Hill has had no construction on the site for months.

Mr Medhurt said Kingcon Group would continue to operate successfully in the Melbourne construction industry.

The Leader has made multiple attempts to speak with Ouson Group, but the company landline rang out and it has not responded to Leader’s questions.

The Leader is not suggesting Ouson owes its workers millions of dollars, only that those allegations have been made

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The Leader visited the development on Monday and saw only a security guard patrolling, with no works taking place on site.

Several townhouses appeared to be completed, while the apartments are still in early development stages.

On Nexus Real Estates website, it said 51 townhouses and 23 apartments had been sold.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said he had not seen construction works on the site for months.

Mystery also surrounds the future of an eyesore derelict gym, which is only metres away from the Bellenden Apartments site on Ferntree Gully Rd.

The abandoned gym has stood vacant for more than fives years and has been trashed with graffiti, smashed windows and walls, and floors covered in litter.

There are also gaps in multiple fences, which allows vandals easy access to the site.

In March 2020, Colliers International agents were hunting for a buyer for the 15,869 sqm site, with relevant permits already in place.

Monash Council Mayor Brian Little said the site had a planning permit, which provided that construction should be completed by 22 September 2021.

“The site is currently fenced off and Kingcon signage removed. We do not have any further details on the site or any contractual arrangements between the owner and the builder,” Cr Little said.

Cr Little said during construction there were complaints from surrounding residents about noise, working outside of the permitted hours, residential on-street parking being used by worker vehicles and general mess from the site.

He said the planning team and community amenity team responded to these compliance matters.

Cr Little said the planning permit at 855-869 Ferntree Gully Rd (gym site) required construction to start by July 30, 2021.

The permit allows for up to 65 townhouses.

“Construction does not appear to have started on this site yet, and we are unaware of when and if the development will commence.

The Leader has made multiple attempts to contact Ouson Group.

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