A multi million dollar legal dispute between Development Victoria and businesses with venues affected by the closure of Central Pier at Melbourne’s Docklands has been settled.
The five year old case was settled on Monday 5th February for an undisclosed amount, just before the matter was about to be put before a Federal hearing,
In 2019 diners in venues on the pier were given just 15 minutes to finish their meals due to an emergency evacuation over safety concerns about its structure. It has remained closed since and demolition of the structure commenced last year.
The Atlantic Group, a major tenant at the time, took Development Victoria to court along with other tenants, for gross negligence and incompetence. They argued that the government agency had allowed their businesses to operate on the pier in the knowledge that it was structurally unsound.
The businesses claimed Development Victoria knew that the pier was deteriorating “at an increasing rate, despite the repair works it was carrying out” in 2015 when tenancy agreements were signed.
The tenants also claimed Development Victoria misled them by claiming that the repairs undertaken at the time would allow their venues to continue to operate venues until their leases ended in 2026.
In a statement on Monday, Atlantic Group’s Founder, CEO & MD Hatem Saleh said “I am pleased to share that Central Pier Pty Ltd and Atlantic Group V have successfully reached an agreement with Development Victoria this afternoon regarding the closure of Docklands Central Pier in August 2019. This resolution stems from constructive discussions between both parties, eliminating the need for the Federal Court hearing scheduled for this morning.”
A Development Victoria spokesperson said: “The parties have agreed to resolve the dispute on confidential terms and the proceeding has been dismissed. We are unable to comment on the terms of settlement, which are confidential.”
“We are now looking forward to getting on with what we do best – continuing to create great hospitality moments.” Said Saleh.