Greatearth Corporation and Greatearth Construction were the main contractors for Senja Ridges, Senja Heights, Sky Vista @ Bukit Batok, Marsiling Grove, and West Coast Parkview, as well as several other government projects. Source: HDB
Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat buyers at five Build-to-Order (BTO) projects will have to wait longer for their new units as the main contractors for such projects ran into “financial difficulties”, reported Channel News Asia (CNA), citing the HDB.
Greatearth Corporation and Greatearth Construction had informed HDB that it faced financial problems and could no longer complete the projects despite assistance from the government.
Among the projects were Senja Ridges and Senja Heights, both launched in 2016, are expected to be completed in Q4 2021 and Q1 2022, respectively.
Another project, Sky Vista @ Bukit Batok, was launched in August 2017 and is expected to be completed in Q3 2022.
The two other projects – Marsiling Grove and West Coast Parkview – are expected to be completed in Q4 2022 and Q2 2023, respectively.
HDB said it had explored possible options “to resolve Greatearth’s challenges, such as through advance payments, but Greatearth does not have the financial ability to continue its operations”.
It revealed that construction works at all five sites have been suspended since 20 August.
“Prior to this, the progress of works was satisfactory, and there was no sign of work slow-down or any sudden reduction of supplies or workers on-site,” said HDB as quoted by CNA.
HDB shared that it is “working closely with Greatearth to bring on board new contractors as soon as possible to complete the remaining works”.
The change in contractors means the completion dates for the five BTO projects may be pushed back further.
“In the meantime, HDB has arranged for contingency contractors to secure the worksites and carry out housekeeping and vector control until the new contractors are appointed.”
Affected home buyers have already been informed of the situation.
“We have reached out to the affected flat buyers, and will continue to keep them updated on the situation,” said HDB.
“We will also keep them informed of the revised completion date of their flats once we have worked out the construction schedule after the new contractors have been appointed.”
If flat buyers can not find alternative housing arrangements in the interim, HDB said they could reach out to the statutory board for assistance.
Flat buyers who are unable to find alternative housing arrangements in the interim with family members, relatives or on the open market may contact HDB for assistance.
“HDB will do our utmost to bring the replacement contractor/s onboard as soon as possible, to minimise the extent of any delays while ensuring that safety and quality are not compromised,” said HDB.
Meanwhile, CNA found that the two contractors were also involved in several other government projects.
“A check on the corporate website of Greatearth – a company founded in 1912 and has its core business in areas such as property development, engineering and construction – showed that it is also involved in at least five other local government projects,” said CNA.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said they are exploring options to minimise the impact on projects involving contractors Greatearth Corporation and Greatearth Construction.
NEA revealed that Greatearth Construction was appointed as the main contractor for the new crematorium complex at Mandai.
“With the change of main contractor, we expect that the new crematorium complex, which was originally expected to be completed by end-2022, to be delayed,” said an NEA spokesperson as quoted by CNA.
“NEA will evaluate our options to mitigate the impact of the delay.”
A joint venture between Greatearth Corporation and Gamuda Berhad Singapore was also named as the contractor for Woodland’s Gali Batu Bus Depot.
“LTA is currently in discussion with Gamuda Berhad Singapore on how to ensure project continuity and minimise the impact on the depot’s completion timeline,” said LTA’s spokesperson as quoted by CNA.
Set for completion in 2024, the bus depot project is about 15% completed.
“LTA will continue to monitor project progress closely,” added LTA.
JTC has also awarded two projects to joint ventures involving Greatearth Construction.
The projects involved the construction of a key development, as well as infrastructure, works in Bulim, which is one of the precincts within the upcoming Jurong Innovation District.
JTC, however, does not expect delays to the ongoing works arising from Greatearth’s financial difficulties.
This comes as “the partners in the joint ventures have agreed to take over and fulfil the contract commitments”, said JTC.
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Cheryl Chiew, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this story, email: cheryl@propertyguru.com.sg.
