Building subcontractors protest over non payment for work at Bendigo Ulumbarra Theatre

A dispute between subcontractors who say they are owed several million dollars and the builder of Bendigo's new Ulumbarra Theatre has led to a protest outside the newly opened theatre.

Opened in April to wide acclaim, the Federal and Victorian Governments backed the City of Greater Bendigo in its $26 million redevelopment of the former Bendigo jail.

However, a dispute has emerged between the main builder, Contract Control Services, and the subcontractors involved with the project with subcontractors claiming they are owed several million dollars for completed work.

It is understood the builder had been holding out over some subcontracted work it said was yet to be finished.

Last week, 20 sub-contractors gathered on the steps of the Theatre steps to try to draw attention to their dispute with Contract Control Services.

The project was overseen by Victoria’s Department of Education and Training which reportedly fast tracked payments to Contract Control in June. However, subcontractors say they are yet to receive their money.

Under its contractual obligations, the Department says it must fund the main contractor and cannot directly pay the subcontractors who are owed money.

Around 25 sub-contractors who undertook work relating to the Theatre’s electrical, air-conditioning and plumbing fittings, as well as for equipment hire are understood to be still owed $3.5million, which they is affecting their ongoing business operations.

Some of the subcontractors want the Victorian Government to reconsider its use of Contract Control for future construction projects.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has offered his support to the subcontractors saying that the Government would step in if subcontractors were facing financial hardship.

Premier Andrews stated “it would be my expectation that everybody gets paid in full and on time.

"If that's not been the case then I'm more than happy to follow up on that."

The Victorian Government has sent a senior Department of Education and Training negotiator to Bendigo to sort out the dispute who will stay on site until work on the venue is complete. 

19th April 2015 - BENDIGO’S ULUMBARRA THEATRE GETS GRAND OPENING

21st August 2012 - PLANS APPROVED FOR BENDIGO JAIL TO BECOME A THEATRE