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The NSW government is investigating claims by Wagga tradespeople that they have not been paid for their work on a $1.47 million social housing block.
Sydney-based company Matrix Group Co was announced in February as the contractor to build the block of four one-bedroom social housing units at 16 Spring Street.
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Multiple builders and subcontractors have now complained to the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) and members of Parliament that their invoices for work on the site are past due.
Solicitor Kevin Foley said he was representing a plasterer in Wagga who claimed to have not been paid a “substantial amount of money” for his work at Spring Street.
“We have made a statutory demand to be paid under the Corporations Act and that was served to the company via email on Friday,” Mr Foley said.
“If the demand is not paid within 21 days [my client] can petition the court to wind up the company.”
A LAHC spokesperson said the corporation is aware of and investigating “claims that sub-contractors hired by a contractor responsible for the delivery of a social housing construction project in Wagga have allegedly not received payment”.
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“To date, LAHC has made all of its progress payments to the contracted construction company in good faith and in a timely manner as per the terms of the contracts,” the spokesperson said.
Matrix Group Co did not respond to multiple phone calls and an email requesting comment.
In a statement from February, Matrix Group Co managing director Troy Loh said the Spring Street project “would create opportunities for local subcontractors and tradespeople”.
Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang said Housing Minister Melinda Pavey had been made aware of the claims.
“We have asked for an investigation and the outcome advised to us as soon as possible,” Mr Fang said.
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Wagga MP Joe McGirr said he had spoken with a contractor and passed their information to Ms Pavey.
“I am concerned from what this person told me that there may be a number of people waiting for payments,” Dr McGirr said.
Mr Foley said it was unclear if the housing block would ever get finished unless the payment claims were met.
Multiple neighbours said they had not seen any workers at the site in the past two weeks.
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A NSW Land and Housing Corporation spokesperson said this week that “the project is approximately 70 per cent complete and we are optimistic all dwellings will be finalised this year”.
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Journalist for the Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga covering politics and data. Mobile: 0437 853 137 Email: rex.martinich@dailyadvertiser.com.au
Journalist for the Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga covering politics and data. Mobile: 0437 853 137 Email: rex.martinich@dailyadvertiser.com.au
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