‘Unsustainable’: Roberts Co Calls in Victorian Administrators

Work has ground to a halt on projects across Victoria as Tier 1 builder Roberts Co calls in administrators for its Victorian arm. The builder moved into the Victorian market in 2022 to take over five projects, Uno Melbourne, CSL (construction and fitout), Elizabeth North Stage 2, 500 Bourke Street and 502 Albert Street, from failed builder Probuild, and Monaco Hickey, which is now a division of Roberts Co. Construction cost escalations and productivity challenges have continued to hurt the industry. Since Roberts Co moved into Victoria, construction costs in Melbourne have escalated 18.5 per cent, according to Altus Group data. The city is in line for another 4.5 per cent escalation this year. There have been 2215 construction insolvency cases this financial year, which represents a 20 per cent increase on the total for the same period last year. Roberts Co VIC appointed McGrathNicol as administrator, but the total debt owed remains unclear. The administrators said they were working to reopen sites in the interim, while the first statutory meeting of creditors is slated for March 26. ▲ Probuild went into administration while they were shortlisted for the Footscray apartments. Roberts Co was working on Investa and Oxford Property Group’s $450-million three-tower build-to-rent project at Footscray , which topped out at the end of 2024. The construction firm’s Victorian subsidiaries had more than 30 projects under construction, including the delivery of Victorian schools as part of the Victorian School Building Association program. Full list of projects under construction by Roberts Co Victoria and subsidiary companies (source: BCI Central) Research and manufacturing facility for La Trobe university $3 million Amazon four-storey Sort Centre at Craigieburn $490 million Oasis Residences (158 apartments, 97 serviced apartments, 19 storey tower) Holder East $280 million Build-to-Rent Indi Footscray, 702 apartments across 3 buildings - 8, 16 &amp; 19 storey Investa and Oxford Property Group $240 million 28-storey office building at 130 Little Collins Golden Age $20 million Monaco Hickey Projects Monash University Childcare Centre 11-13 Duerdin St Notting Hill Victoria 3168, Australia VET Building for school—two buildings, John Fawkner Secondary College Technology building for Coburg High School 101 Urquhart St Coburg Victoria 3058, Australia Gymnasium, Administration Building, Early Learning Centre for Hallam Secondary College 74-84 Frawley Rd Hallam Victoria 3803, Australia Roberts Co managing director Emma Shipley said the group could no longer “fund the losses incurred by Roberts Co (VIC) Pty Ltd. Shipley stepped in following the departure of chief executive Matt Bourne after a short tenure at the helm of property tycoon Andrew Roberts’ construction company. “The building and construction industry in Victoria has faced both continuing material cost increases and the insolvency of many critical subcontractors,” Shipley said. “These conditions have caused significant delays and costs to our Victorian projects that are unsustainable. “Ultimately, these factors have placed significant pressure on the group—and the board and I believe the only responsible course of action is for Roberts Co (VIC) Pty Ltd to enter voluntary administration.” ▲ Roberts Co is building Australia's biggest warehouse for Amazon in the Craigieburn Logistics Estate in north Melbourne. Shipley said the voluntary administration would enable the business to determine the “best path forward”. “We are committed to working with the administrator and our clients to complete our current projects in Victoria to get the best outcome for our stakeholders,” Shipley said. “Finally, I want to emphasise that our NSW and WA businesses are unaffected by today’s decision and will continue with business as usual.”

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Mon 17 Mar 25

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EducationTaryn ParisMon 17 Mar 25

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