Vic: Charges Laid Against Grocon

Criminal charges have been laid against one of Australia’s biggest building companies following a Melbourne wall collapse which killed three people last year.

Siblings Bridget and Alexander Jones and French researcher Marie-Faith Fiawoo died after the brick wall surrounding a Grocon construction site on Swanston St fell in high winds, crushing the trio as they walked past.

The charges were laid late yesterday against Grocon and a signage company after a lengthy WorkSafe investigation found alleged breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Charge sheets obtained by the Herald-Sun allege it was “reasonably practicable” for Grocon to have ensured the wall and a wooden hoarding attached to it would not endanger people nearby.

It is also alleged Grocon companies failed to seek the necessary permit for the hoarding and did not have an engineer inspect the wall.

The subcontractor hired to erect the advertising hoarding has also been charged.

A WorkSafe spokesman confirmed to The Australian that charges had been laid, but said no further comment would be made as the case was now before the Melbourne Magistrates court.

It is believed the charges, each carrying a possible penalty of over $1 million, may delay a planned coronial inquest, set for June.