‘One of the worst set ups you’ve ever seen’- ‘filthy’ working conditions uncovered at Mentone Hotel site

A union inspector complains tradies renovating a landmark Beach Rd pub are putting up with a break room so filthy it risks a rat infestation. And he says there are also disgusting bathrooms and potentially fatal hazards. SEE VIDEO

A Melbourne builder’s group has been slammed by the construction union after “filthy” conditions were uncovered at the redevelopment site of a popular southeast hotel.

And a Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union representative yesterday described the Mentone Hotel worksite as “one of the worst jobs” he’d ever been to.

The shocking footage comes after outraged inspectors witnessed mouldy tables, unkept toilets, a filthy pie oven and kettle as well as a lunch room with no social distancing measures and a lack of falls protection.

The union slammed Valeo Constructions in a post on social media, claiming the 95 Beach Rd site also had no airconditioning and was so dirty it risked a rat infestation.

“You can see how dirty the tables are and the amenities … the pie oven, microwave, its absolutely filthy,” the inspector said.

“This is were they’re expecting our members — our workers — to be sitting and eating with the COVID-19 virus going on at the moment and they believe this is up to standard … have a look at it, (it’s) one of the worst jobs I’ve ever been to.

“It just shows Valeo has got a complete lack of respect for the workers on this site.”

The toilets at the Mentone Hotel worksite were overflowing with rubbish and had stained floors. Picture: CFMEU

The microwave, kettle and pie oven were filthy. Picture: CFMEU

The floor around the urinals appeared to be slippery and the urinals unclean. Picture: CFMEU

The inspector said someone could “fall to their death” through the floor. Picture: CFMEU

The inspector feared someone could “fall to their death” as he walked past large gaping hole on the first floor.

The shocking footage comes more than six years after hundreds of Bayside residents and “Save The Edgy” campaigners gathered outside the hotel to call for protection of the historic building.

The Mentone Hotel has been closed for more than six years. Penny Stephens.

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And in 2018, an agreement to restore the hotel was finally made between owner and Momentum Wealth Management director Paul Huggins, Save The Edgy campaigners and Kingston Council.

The project, which is due to be completed by April next year, include a pub space which had been earlier ditched by the developer.

A Momentum Wealth Management spokesman told the Leader the group had “full trust and faith in its employed builder."

The CFMEU said on social media that Valeo had implemented “some” safety changes since yesterday’s visit but added that “it shouldn’t take the CFMEU turning up for this to happen.”

Valeo, CFMEU and WorkSafe were contacted for comment.

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