Liberty Builders goes into voluntary administration
Doubt hangs over the future of apartment complexes under construction after another major Melbourne builder went under, leaving two Bentleigh developments in limbo — including one due to be ready by December.
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A major Melbourne building company has gone into voluntary administration, leaving apartment projects in limbo.
Abbotsford-based building company Liberty Builders, which specialises in mid and large-scale residential apartment complexes, has been listed on ASIC’s voluntary administration list.
The builder has current projects listed at 322 Centre Rd in Bentleigh and Centrepiece Residences, which has 95 dwellings, at 801 Centre Rd in Bentleigh East.
CBRE sales director Stefanie Enconniere, who is the selling agent for Centrepiece Residences, said developer Launch Corp was going through the process to find a new builder and had been “completely transparent with keeping purchasers up to date”.
It’s understood 95 per cent of the development is completed, but the project is expected to be completed by mid-year.
It’s unclear if new builders have been appointed to the other sites.
Liberty Builders also been involved in other major residential projects in Abbotsford, Kew, Brunswick East and Essendon which seem to be completed.
In April concerned residents in Bentleigh queried the status of the Bentleigh developments.
One resident wrote on Facebook: “Work seems to have stopped on the eight storey development at 322 Centre Road Bentleigh (the old Broadbent site) and also 801 Centre Rd East Bentleigh”.
The company has also received a slew of negative comments on its Google business page, with one agent writing: “This company is terrible, they never respond to emails or calls. I have had tenants sleeping on the sofa for 2 months and they are still “fixing” the leaks in the building. I have asked for management’s contact info and they do not give it out.”
There were also dozens of complaints about home warranties, leakages and the company not responding to phone calls and emails.
Last year developers Steller and Zealous also went bust leaving many Melbourne homebuyers in the lurch.
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ASIC revealed on Thursday more than 130 Victorian businesses had plunged into liquidation or voluntary administration since the coronavirus crisis began,
From March 23, at least 136 Victorian companies have gone into voluntary administration or liquidation.
The Leader was unable to reach Liberty Builders for comment.