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Corkman pub developers fail to build park despite court order.

The developers that illegally demolished a Melbourne pub have failed to comply with court orders and build a park on the site. But can the orders be enforced?

Corkmans Irish pub demolished

Developers that demolished a Melbourne pub illegally and failed to follow court orders to turn the space into a park, have been labelled as “cowboys” as the state government continues to struggle to enforce the issue.

Deputy Premier James Merlino slammed the developer involved.

“It is just another example of these cowboy developers not doing what they have to do,” he said.

“We are working closely with Melbourne City Council, the local government, to ensure the VCAT order is adhered to,” Mr Merlino said.

The Corkman Hotel in Carlton following a suspicious fire in 2016. Picture: David Crosling
The Corkman Hotel in Carlton following a suspicious fire in 2016. Picture: David Crosling
The site where the Corkman Irish Pub stood after the unlawful demolition of the 159-year-old building. Picture: Tracey Nearmy
The site where the Corkman Irish Pub stood after the unlawful demolition of the 159-year-old building. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

“They have done the wrong thing and done the wrong thing again.

“All I can say to you at the moment is, we are engaging with local government to ensure those VCAT orders are adhered to.”

Mr Merlino was not clear on how the issue would be enforced but “wouldn’t agree” the regulator – the Victorian Building Authority – was not fit for purpose.

In 2019, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ordered the owners who illegally demolished the 19th-century Corkman Irish Pub in Carlton prepare the site as a park before redeveloping it.

However, the deadline is fast approaching and the site remains unchanged.

The developers could not be contacted by the Herald Sun.

Opposition planning spokesman Tim Smith said more needed to be done.

“There is no park,” said Mr Smith.

“February is the date and that will be Saturday and there will be no park, because there is no park today.

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“Once again these to cowboy developers have mislead the government, the Melbourne City Council and not undertaken what they said they would do.

“This is a huge issue.”

alex.white@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/corkman-pub-developers-fail-to-build-park-despite-court-order/news-story/32a02e1ba2f041a5eb87e575b2d22e41