Grocon-Juniper stoush over Surfers Paradise Soul tower

Grocon is suing the Gold Coast apartment developer Juniper, alleging it has failed to make payments on time for the construction of the $850 million Soul, Surfers Paradise tower.

But Juniper’s managing director Graeme Juniper says: “Juniper has always paid, and will continue to pay, in accordance with certification.”

With an 82-page statement of claim, Grocon also launched action against the building certifier, Rider Levett Bucknell, in the Brisbane Supreme Court proceedings.

Grocon’s contract to build Soul was worth more than $300 million, according to the Australian Financial Review.

Grocon claims it is not obliged to pay liquidated damages for some delays.

Juniper says it has paid what it has been ordered to pay and the most recent certificate says that Grocon owes Juniper $16 million. 

The independent certifier is Rider Levett Bucknall, a leading global organisation that has been involved in some of the world’s largest commercial construction projects. 

“Juniper denies Grocon’s claims and welcomes the opportunity to address them in the appropriate forum as soon as possible,” Juniper says.