Original story by Fiona Hudson, Herald Sun
A GIANT $350,000-plus aquarium installed at racing identity Sean Buckley’s luxury Toorak mansion has sparked tank warfare, amid swirling claims of leaks, fish deaths and unpaid bills.
The aquarium, complete with a battleship. Source: HeraldSun
The 30,000-litre faux lagoon – believed to be the largest private aquarium in Australia – is modelled on a famous World War II battle site.
It contains a 6-metre replica shipwreck and a 2-metre replica plane. Designers described the tricky build in Mr Buckley’s billiard room as “much like a military operation”.
But the battle really began when water was added, with claims and counterclaims flowing freely between contractors and Ultra Tune boss Mr Buckley.
One dispute recently washed up in the Magistrates’ Court, with a contractor filing civil action against Mr Buckley over an allegedly unpaid $40,000 invoice.
The legal action – launched by Vogue Pools & Spas Pty Ltd, who installed the walls and viewing panes – was settled in December for an undisclosed sum.
Ultra Tune corporate solicitor Albert Chong claimed payments were kept from Vogue Pools & Spas – and also aquarium designer Reefscape Australia – because the tank had sprung a leak and, he alleged, exotic fish worth $60,000 had died.
Reefscape Australia chief executive Craig Stuart confirmed a small payment was held back over some disputed workmanship and material costs. He said Mr Buckley had not informed him of any dead fish.
Cox Plate winning racehorse owner Mr Buckley bought the half-built French Provincial-style mansion on one of Toorak’s best streets in 2009 for $7 million at a mortgagee’s auction and has spent millions completing it.
The company that oversaw most of the elaborate building works, Hocking Build & Construct Pty Ltd, recently went into liquidation.
Mr Buckley is among alleged debtors, with claims he owes up to $20,000. The lawyer acting for Mr Buckley in that matter, Gaspare Sirianni, said he was unsure what the alleged debt was for and had sought further details from the liquidator.
Pool builder Geoff Burke – whose tilers created a massive mosaic depicting horse-lover Mr Buckley’s steeds – said Mr Buckley had paid all his invoices promptly and was “a great client”.
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