State government urged to complete road left unfinished by collapsed builder Felmeri Group

Families say they are facing homelessness after the collapsed Felmeri Group left a critical access route to a southern suburbs estate unfinished.

Edward Gilmore at the O'Halloran Hill site. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Pressure is mounting on the state government to fund construction of a road left unfinished by failed home builder Felmeri Group, which has left customers facing “the real possibility of homelessness” due to ongoing delays at their southern suburbs housing estate.

Edward Gilmore’s family is one of around 20 who are unable to finish building their homes at O’Halloran Hill because an access road adjoining their street has been left incomplete.

He wrote to Premier Peter Malinauskas on Tuesday, seeking state government support for construction of the road, arguing further delays would leave the families more out of pocket after already dealing with years of delays.

Opposition spokeswoman for urban development Michelle Lensink called on the state government to step in and finish the road.

“Finishing the road could certainly resolve a lot of the issues for these households who find themselves in this difficult situation,” she told ABC Radio on Wednesday morning.

“I think the government does have some responsibility. Build the road.”

First-time homeowners Devon Craig with her daughter Willow, 2, and Zoe Grzeczkowski, with her nine-month-old daughter Elena, are among Felmeri customers left with unfinished homes at O’Halloran Hill. Picture: Shashi Baltutis

Premier Peter Malinauskas said a team had been put together to assess options for intervention, but stopped short of committing any funding to completing the road.

“Naturally, when you’re talking about a new measure that is unique in nature and we have to think through the precedent that it sets, that has to go through an appropriate government process,” he said.

In his letter to the Premier, written on behalf of about 20 families affected by the unfinished road, Mr Gilmore said that without state government support many faced the “real possibility of homelessness”.

He said Consumer and Business Services had recommended pursuing the company responsible for building the road – a company related to Felmeri Group – but that would involve a lengthy and costly legal process.

“We have all paid for this road in our land sales, and are financially incapable of doing so again,” the letter says.

“It is not an exaggeration that many of us are facing homelessness if the government does not step in and help complete this road ASAP.

“We are currently having to pay huge amounts in rent and interest, which with more rate increases, will be untenable in the future.

“The reality of this will see many of us having to move in with extended family or apply for government housing.”

Opposition Leader David Speirs has previously called on the Marion Council to work with the state government on finishing the road.