Rogue Corkman Pub developers guilty of ‘contempt’

Developers who illegally demolished the historic Corkman Pub have been found guilty of contempt of court for “wilful and deliberate” failure to clear up the Carlton site.

Developers responsible for the demolition of the historic Corkman pub have been found guilty of contempt of court.

Stefce Kutlesovksi and Raman Shaqiri faced legal action after failing to comply with a tribunal order to clear the Carlton site so a temporary park could be created.

The pair illegally knocked down the 19th century hotel in 2016, provoking community outrage and triggering legal moves against them.

In October, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal was told that demolition material — including asbestos fragments — remained on the site despite the developers last year agreeing to clean it up.

In written submissions to the tribunal, the developers contended “an undisclosed basement” on the land was to blame for the inaction.

The Corkman Irish Pub in Carlton.

The ruins of The Corkman Pub in 2016. Picture: David Crosling

VCAT president Justice ­Michelle Quigley has found that the inaction by Mr Kutlesovki and Mr Shaqiri and their noncompliance with the order was “considered, wilful and ­deliberate”.

In finding them guilty of contempt of court, Justice Quigley said the respondents chose only to take steps that they wished to take and no more.

The penalty for both men and their company 160 Leicester Pty Ltd, which owns the Corkman site, will be decided later.

The contempt action was taken by Melbourne City Council and the Andrews state government.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the developers had shown a callous disregard for the city’s history by demolishing a heritage pub in the middle of the night.

“They continue to do the wrong thing and we won’t ­tolerate it,” she said.

“We have taken action on behalf of the community to ­ensure the site is cleaned up and available for the public to enjoy.”

Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the ruling sent “a clear message these developers can’t and won’t get away with unlawful and blatant disregard for our city’s heritage”.

“We’ll be continuing to pursue them until they take ­responsibility and make good on their agreement to turn the site into a temporary park,” Mr Wynne said.

The City of Melbourne will seek to recover the full legal costs from the site owners over the contempt action.

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