A developer who illegally demolished a historic bar in Melbourne`s inner city a year and a half ago pleaded guilty.
Developers Raman Shaqiri and Stefce Kutlesovski and their company 160 Leicester Proprietary Limited have been indicted for demolishing the 160-year-old Corkman Irish Bar in October 2016.
The developers face 16 charges and a fine of up to 2 million for ignoring building estate rules and failing to obtain demolition permits.
Shaqiri pleaded guilty, while Kutlesovski, who was indicted, said he would continue to plead not guilty.
The court heard that the developers and their company initially shared a representative lawyer, but there was a dispute of interest.
The two were due to hold a four-day hearing at Melbourne`s Sheriff`s court this week, but the hearing has been postponed because the defendants chose a different defence.
Shaqiri and Kutlesovski have already faced heavy fines from the Environmental Protection Agency after pleading guilty to illegal dumping of asbestos-containing construction waste earlier this year.
After spending 4.76 million on Carlton in 2015, they plan to build a 12-story apartment building.
After the illegal demolition of the bar, Shaqiri and Kutlesovski sparked public outrage and vowed to rebuild the bar. But then they made a 180-degree turn, saying they would continue their plans to build apartments.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne issued a temporary protection order banning any work on the site until October.
Congress hopes to propose amendments to the plan to allow bars to be rebuilt and to provide protection of architectural heritage.
Penalties for Shaqiri and its company will be announced after January.
