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ZK Construction boss claims council knew about criminal past

A convicted meth trafficker at the helm of a Queensland building firm elevated as a preferred supplier claims a Cape York council knew about his criminal past, but the council has said otherwise.

ZK Construction Group director Zane Rene Brache and Mayor Robert Poi Poi.
ZK Construction Group director Zane Rene Brache and Mayor Robert Poi Poi.

A convicted meth trafficker at the helm of a Queensland building firm elevated as a preferred supplier claims a Cape York council knew about his criminal past, but the council has said otherwise.

ZK Construction Group, headed by Zane Rene Brache, was granted an audience with the Northern Peninsula Area Council during a deputation in January last year and was handed pre-qualified supplier status in September, 2024 in a unanimous decision by all elected councillors.

Former Smithfield man Zane Rene Brache trafficked 3.5kg of methamphetamine, worth $630,000, from Brisbane to Cairns between August and October 2017 and was sentenced to 9½ years jail in October 2020.

The ZK Construction Group’s company profile of Zane Brache.
The ZK Construction Group’s company profile of Zane Brache.

Following concerns raised by community members about adequate controls and processes over the appointment of service providers, Mr Brache has now stated the council was fully aware about his past.

“We are here doing meaningful work and the progress we’re making is real,” he said.

“When the new council engaged our team, (it) did so with full knowledge of my past.

“That decision wasn’t made lightly, it was a deliberate and courageous act.

“(Council) chose to look beyond noise, gossip and outdated narratives to focus on what truly matters – results and transformation.”

NPARC declined to clearly respond to direct questions asking if the council had knowledge of Mr Brache’s criminal history, but it was conceded no background checks were done.

Zane Rene Brache is the chief executive officer of ZK Construction Group.
Zane Rene Brache is the chief executive officer of ZK Construction Group.

“We are not in a position to check the credentials of every board member of every company that submits to us for contracts,” Mayor Robert Poi Poi said on behalf of the council.

“Council seeks to treat everyone equitably, so if we don’t check other companies there is no reason to investigate ZK.

“Should there be any legal issues that occur in the future they and any one else will be dealt with at the time.”

Listed as a shareholder of ZK Construction Group earlier this year, Alex Wymara said he “initially explored collaboration” with the group before distancing himself from the company.

“Once I discovered his criminal background, I requested to be removed from the company,” he said.

“That request was made early in 2024, though the process took longer than I would have liked.”

The situation comes at a challenging time for Australia’s most northern mainland council after the state government appointed a financial controller and governance adviser in July last year.

Council also declined to state if ZK Construction Group would be stripped of their preferred contractor status after learning of the director’s history.

“Applicants will be advised of their status shortly and council wont be making any public statements prior to that occurring,” Mr Poi Poi said.

Kenny Tse is the director of ZK Construction Group and has been promoting the NPA Catch a Lift within the Northern Peninsula area of Cape York.
Kenny Tse is the director of ZK Construction Group and has been promoting the NPA Catch a Lift within the Northern Peninsula area of Cape York.

NPA Catch a Lift, which was trading under the ZK Construction Group ABN as of May this year, appears now to be defunct and efforts to book a ride in the Bamaga area through the app were unsuccessful due to “no available vehicle”.

Following a special budget meeting in June, Mr Poi Poi said council was now back in the black and by the end of the next financial year $5m in cash reserves was expected.

“We are very proud of our journey over the last 12 months to improve our council’s financial position,” he said.

peter.carruthers@news.com.au

Originally published as ZK Construction boss claims council knew about criminal past

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/cairns/zk-construction-boss-claims-council-knew-about-criminal-past/news-story/f2a45ee80fec2064907269aea9c92077