Greenwich Build has gone into voluntary administration, leaving the Wakaden Street project stalled. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
The Sydney-based builder of an affordable housing development on Griffith’s Wakaden Street has gone into administration, leaving some local contractors unpaid for work already done.
Not-for-Profit Argyle Housing was donated land by Griffith City Council to construct four two-storey, two-bedroom townhouses next to the ambulance station. The units were to be held as affordable housing and rented out to low-income earners to help address a chronic housing shortage in town and were expected to be completed by early 2025.
However, the timing of the project delivery is now under threat, with the federal business regulator confirming that the Sydney-based builder chosen to construct the dwellings, Greenwich Build Pty Ltd, went into voluntary administration on Monday (24 February). Parramatta-based insolvency expert Graeme Beattie has been appointed as the company’s administrator.
Nevertheless, Argyle Housing says the now stalled development will be completed.
“Argyle Housing is committed to keeping the community informed about the progress of our housing projects,” a spokesperson said.
“We have been made aware that Greenwich Build has entered voluntary administration this week. Despite this development, Argyle Housing remains dedicated to the completion of the Wakaden Street affordable housing and [the associated] Ngumbaaydyil Community Hub projects.”
Region has been informed there are local contractors who are owed money for work they have already done.
“We can confirm that Argyle Housing has paid all progress claims to Greenwich Build related to these projects, which were accompanied by declarations from Greenwich Build that their suppliers and contractors had been paid. We understand through discussions with a number of contractors that this was not the case, and strongly encourage them to engage with the administrators on these debts,” the Argyle Housing spokesperson said.
“We are grateful for the community’s support in seeing these projects through to completion and that Argyle Housing have been in ongoing conversations with local contractors to ensure the work continues. We acknowledge and thank the local contractors for the work that they have completed on these projects to date, and thank them for their engagement, professionalism and cooperation with Argyle Housing in planning a way forward on these important projects for the community.”
In its end of term report 2016-2021, Griffith City Council said it “partnered with Argyle Housing to deliver … the four residential units in Wakaden Street Griffith”.
However, council took exception to a previous Region article that stated “Argyle Housing has partnered with Griffith City Council to build the units”.
“In relation to a recent article published by Region Riverina which quoted ‘Not for Profit Argyle Housing has partnered with Griffith City Council to build units (in Wakaden St)’, council’s partnership is limited to a donation by Griffith City Council to Argyle Housing of the land to build the units. Council has no other involvement in this project,” it said in a statement posted to Facebook on 13 February.
Region contacted Griffith Council prior to the publication of the previous article (which broke the news about Greenwich Build’s financial difficulty) for comment, but did not receive a response.
An Argyle Housing spokesperson said: “Griffith City Council generously provided land for the development and management of four new two-storey affordable townhouses, located at the corner of Crossing and Wakaden streets in Griffith. These units are specifically designated for key workers, with rental rates set at no more than 75 per cent of the market rent in the Griffith area. We thank Griffith City Council for their ongoing commitment to affordable housing within Griffith and for ensuring that this investment will be maintained in perpetuity.
“Argyle Housing is dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions for our community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this situation and work towards completing these important projects.”
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
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