Porter Davis, Lloyd group ditch country projects

Lloyd Group employ around 200 people, design and build projects for state and local government in Victoria and NSW.

The company's collapse will affect 59 projects under construction including public amenities, entertainment venues and schools.

The second company, Porter Davis, has more than 1700 homes in progress across Victoria and Queensland, and a further 779 customers have signed contracts where building is yet to commence.

The half-built Newcastle skate park has been battered by storms and big swells, setting construction timelines back. Now, that's the least of the project's problems.

The skate park was already $4.5 million over budget when the construction company completing the build went into administration.

City of Newcastle said it was waiting for formal notification from the company Lloyd Group or the appointed administrators about the situation.

"We will then seek necessary advice to confirm any impact on the South Newcastle project and how we will ensure the timely completion of the project," a City of Newcastle spokesperson said.

The scheduled opening of Bega's redeveloped art gallery is in limbo, despite plans to open in late April 2023.

The $3.5 million redevelopment and expansion of the South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) was contracted to the Lloyd Group.

Council director of community, environment and planning Emily Harrison confirmed the project was now on hold following the news of Lloyd Group.

"Work on the gallery has now paused while the administrator reviews the project and determines next steps," Ms Harrison said.

"While the gallery is nearing completion, this will likely delay the opening of the new facility. We will update the community as soon as we know more," she said.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The redevelopment of Leeton's only cinema, the heritage-listed Roxy Theatre, has been halted on the back of Lloyd Group's voluntary administration.

The construction company have been on site at the theatre since January 2022 to carry out the two-stage redevelopment.

Leeton shire mayor Tony Reneker told The Irrigator he was disappointed by the news.

"Our local contractors will get paid, there's no need to have any qualms about that at all," he said.

"We (council) have also only paid them for the work they have done so far, we have not paid them in advance.

"One of the messages is we will be staying in touch with Lloyd and the Deloitte and as soon as we have more information we will pass that back onto the community."

The council had only days before announced site tours of the theatre for community members to see the progress on the redevelopment.

Lloyd Group was the principal contractor for the upgrade of Bellambi Holy Spirit College in Wollongong, NSW.

The project, started in 2022, was meant to include six new general purpose learning areas, a resource centre, staff amenities for over 140 staff and dedicated senior students' study areas.

The works were part of the school's master plan to welcome 1360 students.

On Friday March 31, a letter from school principal Christopher Agnew was sent to parents and the community telling them the project will be stalled due to the collapse of the company.