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Court Orders CJ Castle Wound Up Over Workers’ Long Service Levy Debt

CJ Castle Care & Support Pty Ltd, the Somerville-linked disability provider founded by director Richard Ingram, has been ordered wound up in insolvency after failing to deal with a $15,565.65 statutory demand over unpaid portable long service levies.

The order was made on 17 June 2026 by Judicial Registrar Woronczak.

The Court appointed Shane Justin Cremin of Rodgers Reidy as liquidator.

The decision confirms a major escalation in the collapse of the disability support provider, which has been the subject of repeated former staff allegations over unpaid wages, superannuation, entitlements and links to Hastings-based Arcadia operations.

CJ Castle and Mr Ingram operated across Somerville, Hastings and the Mornington Peninsula.

The levy debt is one confirmed part of the company’s financial fallout.

It remains unclear whether further action will follow from other parties over alleged unpaid worker entitlements, superannuation, supplier debts or other creditor claims.

The Supreme Court of Victoria has ordered CJ Castle Care & Support Pty Ltd wound up in insolvency after the company failed to deal with a $15,565.65 statutory demand over unpaid portable long service levies.

Authority pursued unpaid levies

Court documents show the Portable Long Service Benefits Authority took the matter to the Supreme Court.

The Authority applied to wind up CJ Castle on the ground of insolvency after the company failed to comply with a creditor’s statutory demand.

The debt related to unpaid portable long service levies under the Long Service Benefits Portability Act 2018.

The court file lists four invoices:

  • 23 January 2025: $1,826.21
  • 30 April 2025: $4,482.36
  • 30 July 2025: $4,957.25
  • 13 January 2026: $4,299.83

The total debt was $15,565.65.

Hall & Wilcox, acting for the Authority, sent the statutory demand to CJ Castle’s registered office at Unit 2, 80 Station Street, Somerville, on 19 March 2026.

Court documents state CJ Castle failed to pay, secure or compound the debt within 21 days.

Richard Ingram did not appear

When the matter came before the Court on 17 June, CJ Castle did not appear.

The Court said the company must be presumed insolvent.

It then ordered CJ Castle Care & Support Pty Ltd wound up in insolvency and appointed Mr Cremin as liquidator.

The plaintiff’s costs were also ordered to be costs in the winding up.

One debt confirmed, wider questions remain

The court order deals with the Portable Long Service Benefits Authority’s levy debt.

It does not answer the wider questions raised by former workers since CJ Castle’s collapse.

Former CJ Castle workers previously told STPL News they were owed wages, superannuation and other entitlements.

Those claims remain allegations unless confirmed by a court, regulator or liquidator.

The liquidation process may now determine whether other debts exist, whether further creditor claims are lodged, and whether any money can be recovered.

Former staff concerns continue

Richard ingram posting with a goat at his Tanderra Fields site.

STPL News has received a message that appears to have circulated among former workers and supporters.

The message urges affected staff to contact the Portable Long Service Benefits Authority, the Australian Taxation Office and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

It also raises concerns about Arcadia 4 ALL, Arcadia Sport and Recreation and Tanderra Fields.

STPL News is not publishing the message in full because it contains inflammatory language and several claims that remain unverified.

However, its circulation shows former staff and community members continue to seek answers.

Arcadia and Tanderra questions remain

Screenshots supplied to STPL News appear to show a public social media post from Richard Ingram announcing Tanderra Fields in Hastings.

The post describes Tanderra Fields as the future headquarters of Arcadia 4 ALL and a place where people of all abilities could learn, grow, contribute and belong.

STPL News has not verified whether Tanderra Fields is operating, registered as a business name, accepting participants or providing services.

Those questions now carry greater weight because CJ Castle has been ordered wound up, while former staff continue to raise concerns about the relationship between CJ Castle, Arcadia and any new disability-related ventures linked to the Ingram family.

Liquidator now in control

The liquidator will now handle the winding up process.

That may include examining the company’s affairs, dealing with creditors, reviewing books and records, and determining whether any money can be recovered.

STPL News will continue to follow the liquidation process and any further verified information about unpaid wages, superannuation, worker entitlements, client movements, asset transfers, related-party dealings and any connection between CJ Castle, Arcadia Sport and Recreation, Arcadia 4 ALL and Tanderra Fields.


Editor’s note: Allegations about unpaid wages, superannuation, phoenixing, asset movement, client transfer, related-entity dealings and regulatory breaches remain allegations unless confirmed by a court, regulator, liquidator or documentary evidence.

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