Queensland builder licence of GCB Constructions suspended amid financial struggles, site delays

Queensland’s building regulator has suspended the licence of a major construction company, meaning work must cease on more than 500 apartments on sites along the east coast.

Queensland’s building regulator has suspended the licence of a major construction company after months of financial strife and delays on development sites along the east coast.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission suspended the licence of GCB Constructions around 1.30pm on Tuesday, meaning work on all its current projects must cease.

Meanwhile GCB, which holds an unrestricted building licence in NSW, has been gathering quotes to tender for new work in that state – enraging subbies who remain unpaid for its current projects.

Its Queensland licence had been restricted since June 26, requiring GCB to submit its accounts weekly and preventing it from taking on new projects without express QBCC approval.

GCB Construction site operating on small staff numbers at Vantage Ashmore on the Gold Coast last week. Picture Glenn Hampson

A statement from the QBCC said it had suspended the licence “for failure to pay debts when they fall due, which breaches the Minimum Financial Requirements for holding a QBCC licence”.

“The immediate suspension action today by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) means the company is unable to undertake any building work, including

any that might currently be in progress,” the statement said.

GCB’s director has repeatedly insisted his company is viable, despite five more companies joining court action to wind it up.

Trent Clark said he was “determined and confident” of overcoming financial struggles which have seen work slow to a trickle or completely stop at sites along the east coast since May 8.

The Bulletin has contacted Mr Clark for comment on what the suspension means for the company.

GCB Construction site operating on small staff numbers at 13 Ave Palm Beach on the Gold Coast last week. Picture Glenn Hampson

The suspension came less than a week after work on GCB’s largest project, Marine Quarter at Southport, recommenced, with the site’s tower crane would returning to operation and some concrete work taking place.

Subcontractors and suppliers of the company had lashed Queensland’s building regulator for not taking swifter and more decisive action on GCB’s licence.

The company also has projects under way in NSW, where it holds an unrestricted licence.

The Gold Coast Bulletin has seen an email from GCB to a subcontractor, asking for a quote and confirming it was preparing a tender for work at a school in Lismore.

GCB Constructions Trent Clark

The NSW regulator said subcontractors for work in that state with unpaid debts should take it up with the builder.

“Payment claims should be made in writing and served to the business or company owing the debt,” it said.

“If the money remains unpaid, contractors can apply to resolve the dispute with an independent adjudication or take legal action.”

As well as facing wind-up action by up to six alleged creditors, GCB is battling major cases with two developers of its projects.