Rork Projects Calls in Administrators

Rork Projects has called in administrators citing a “tsunami of impossible economic conditions”. 

Three companies that constitute the Rork Projects group were placed into voluntary administration on March 1. 

The companies had 63 active projects across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the ACT. 

Director Brian O’Rourke said that it was with a heavy heart the companies were forced into administration after 26 years. 

“This was the final step in a long journey to find a solution for our staff, clients and subcontractors, and we acknowledge the devastating impact this outcome has on them,” he said in a statement on the company’s website.

“The tsunami of impossible economic conditions is smashing the construction industry with upward of 2000 construction businesses collapsing in 2023.

▲ Brian O’Rourke: A tsunami of impossible economic conditions.

“Builders are in crisis because of high interest rates, labour shortages and material supply constraints following the pandemic.

“The construction market is facing one of the worst storms since the mid-1970 crisis. While devastating for us, it is also damaging to the Australian economy and community.”

McGrathNicol administrators Mark Holland, Anthony Connelly and Jamie Harris have been appointed. 

“An urgent assessment of the business is under way, which includes exploring transaction or recapitalisation options to determine if a solution can be found to support customers, employees, subcontractors and other stakeholders,” Holland said.

“We will work with site managers to pause work and secure project sites while that assessment is being undertaken.”

Many of its most recent completed projects were office fitouts for such clients as Dexus, Marquette and Fraser Property. Rork was also undertaking a large number of fitouts for state and federal government projects.

Among its larger-scale projects is the Auchenflower stadium redevelopment and a Petrie campus hub for the University of the Sunshine Coast in south-east Queensland; and work for the Intercontinental Hotel and the Gannon House heritage building restoration at 45 Argyle Street, both in Sydney.

▲ An image from the Rork Projects website.

According to BCI Central, Rork is listed as being involved in many projects either ongoing or due to start, including: 

Victoria

• Levels 33, 35 & 39, 80 Collins St, Melbourne, refurbishment

• Five levels of office fitouts, 360 Collins Street

• NDIS Government office fitout, 236-240 Hoppers Lane, Werribee

• Camberwell Road Medical Centre (Construction due to start June 2024)

• 447 Collins Street, Melbourne fitout (Construction due to start in April 2024)

• Office refurbishment for Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne at 199 Rathdowne Street, Carlton (Construction due to start in April 2024)

• 727 Collins Street Docklands, single story fitout for NCS (Construction due to start in April 2024)

• Lobby refurbishment at 717 Bourke Street, Fitzroy (Construction due to start in April 2024)

• Level 39 fit out at 140 William Street, North Melbourne (Construction due to start in April 2024)

▲ Brisbane’s Blue Tower, 12 Creek Street.

Queensland

• Davis & Co Accountancy office fitout, 29 Mcdougall Street, Milton

• Newmarket Hotel, 135 Enoggera Road, Newmarket

• NBN Varsity Lakes Contact Centre, 165 Varsity Parade, Gold Coast

• Speculative suite fitout at Lendlease’s 12 Creek Street, Brisbane

• Administration building at Rochedale State School, 694 Rochedale Road

• School amenities for Padua College, 100 Creek Street, Brisbane

• Clinic fitout at the Clem Jones Centre, 56 Zahel Street, Carina

• Stadium redevelopment for Brisbane Basketball Auchenflower Stadium, 16 Dixon Street

• University of Sunshine Coast community hub, 1 Moreton Parade, Petrie

• Parklands Christian College, two-storey primary learning building, 11-31 Hillcrest Road, Park Ridge

• Office fitout for NEMA Level 10, 299 Adelaide Street, Brisbane (Construction due to start May 2024)

ACT

• The three-storey Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Centre, 1 Grattan Court, Wanniassa
  

NSW

• Hartford College classroom block, 33 Banks Avenue, Daceyville

• Two levels of learning space for Charles Sturt University, 77 Berry Steet, North Sydney

• Office fitout, Level 22 & 23 85 Castlereagh Street, Sydney

• Lobby amenities and level two office fitout, 19 Harris Street, Pyrmont

• Australia Post distribution centre, 12 Hume Highway, Chullora

• Government health office fitout, Department of Health and Aged Care, Levels 9-10, 260 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills

• Gannon House heritage building restoration, 45 Argyle Street, The Rocks

• Frasers warehouse refurbishment, 2 Wonderland Drive, Eastern Creek

• World Square Shopping Centre Facade, 644 George Street, Sydney (Construction due to start April 2024)

• Elizabeth St, Surry Hills (Construction due to begin in May 2024)

• Wildlife Information and Rescue Services Centre, 27 Munda Street, Randwick (Construction due to start May 2024)

• Intercontinental Hotel amenities block refurbishment, 117 Macquarie Street Sydney (Construction due to start April 2024)

• Lobby for office building, Level 11 Bowden St Alexandria (Construction due to start April 2024)

Rork is the latest in a long line of builders to hit rough water as the construction sector continues to be battered by rising costs and labour shortages as developers and financiers look to take a different approach to risk in projects.

Last month, St Hilliers’ construction arm went into administration, just one of many operators to strike trouble this year.