REVEALED: Why carpark deal fell through
A CHANGE of leadership at Abacus Group has been listed as a potential contributing factor to the collapse of a $175 million carpark redevelopment.
Sunshine Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sunshine Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A CHANGE of leadership at Abacus Group was as a potential contributing factor to the collapse of a $175 million carpark redevelopment, according to Mayor Mark Jamieson.
Cr Jamieson and Cr John Connolly gave statements and took questions for 20 minutes on Thursday morning after announcing their preferred tenderer had pulled out of the Brisbane Road Carpark redevelopment.
He said confirmation that the deal was off came on Thursday last week.
When asked about the reason for the collapse, Cr Jamieson told reporters they would draw their own conclusions.
He said he would not go into detail because that would potentially prejudice the council's ability to deal with others in the future.
"So I don't want to be sort of signalling our position,” Cr Jamieson said.
"At the end of the day, the best outcome that we can get for our ratepayers is to ensure that all the chips are on the table and we deal openly with the parties that are interested.”
However, he referenced the April death of Abacus Group's founder and managing director Dr Frank Wolf.
Abacus appointed experienced real estate funds manager Steven Sewell as managing director in April.
"A new CEO took over who obviously had a slightly different view on things,” Cr Jamieson said.
"However we had been working really hard to complete the deal, based on the position we had taken.”
"But in the end, Abacus advised us - and I mean it was all done in very gentlemanly terms - but they advised us that they weren't prepared to take the risk and proceed.”
Abacus Group last week denied Dr Wolf's death was a factor in the protracted nature of its negotiations with the council.
Originally published as REVEALED: Why carpark deal fell through
Battle lines drawn over TAFE, safety upgrades for roads pitched
With less than two weeks to go before election day, Labor has drawn line in the sand over the Nambour TAFE while the LNP goes on the attack about roads in Cooroy and Palmwoods.
Seriously injured boy flown to hospital after being found at bottom of 20m cliff
A boy has been flown to a Brisbane hospital after being found at the bottom of a 20m cliff in a national park popular with hikers and tourists.
Toxic Instagram pages fuel cyber-bullying, schoolyard fight fears
Dozens of social media pages have emerged encouraging users to send in photos and fight videos of Queensland school children so they can be publicly bullied, in a worrying rise of cyber-bullying.
‘Biggest heart of all’: Reason for dad’s island cruise death revealed
The mystery reason a Sunshine Coast man died while on a day trip to Vanuatu during a cruise has emerged during his funeral, as his grief-stricken family outlined his loving nature and sporty life.
Wannabe influencer accused of supplying, possessing drugs
A young woman with thousands of followers on social media has been charged with several drug offences including supply and possession.
‘Brightest prospect’: Lord’s Taverners key rising stars
With the Sunshine Coast Lord's Taverners side locked in for finals, head coach Wayne Anderson has uncovered his side’s key batting and bowling threats for their run home. See the full 24/25 squad breakdown.