Starcrest Construction, aka Heinrich Constructions, still has $120m QBCC licence, despite ban

A major Gold Coast construction firm has kept its Queensland builder licence, despite a row with a big builder that’s set its sights on a stable of big-name racehorses. READ WHICH HORSES

Major formwork group Heinrich Constructions has retained a Queensland builder licence, despite its director being banned from the industry and his company being in external administration.

The company holds a category five licence for maximum revenue up to $120m, and is directed by Queensland racing identity Gerhard “Hoss” Heinrich.

It changed its name to Starcrest Construction on February 20, the day before its lender, Kickstart Equity, appointed receivers.

Meanwhile, tier-one builder Multiplex have placed Starcrest’s holding company into receivership, registering security interests over that company’s assets, including racehorses.

The horses at the centre of the row are owned by Starcrest holding company G & H Holdings, which is directed by Mr Heinrich’s daughter Tayla Heinrich.

Analysis of Queensland Racing and other online databases shows G & H Holdings owns at least 32 racehorses, purchased for between $5000 and $350,000 each and earning a prize pool of more than $1.66m between them.

Among the horses secured are Invinsible Tears, Chilliwack, Beaux Rumble, Miyake, Dirty Dancing and Prime Asset, which each have six-figure career winnings.

Hoss heinrich, Tayla Heinrich and Gillian Heinrich all hold directorships of Heinrich companies.

A response from Mr Heinrich, via his lawyer James Conomos, has described the receiverships as “a private matter”.

“That said, it is intended for the secured creditor to be paid shortly so that the receiver’s appointment ends,” he said.

Mr Heinrich was banned from holding a QBCC licence until August 2025, after another of his companies, Heinrich Formwork, was wound up by the tax office.

Five companies related to Heinrich Construction are in liquidation, with debts climbing above $40m, however the company’s licence remained active on Tuesday.

Heinrich Constructions.

A statement from the QBCC said a company “cannot remain licensed if they have an excluded individual serving as a director”, but declined to comment further.

“The QBCC ... takes decisive and prompt action to ensure excluded individuals do not participate in the Queensland building industry during their exclusion period,” it said.

“The QBCC does not publicise details of all its activities, including current investigations, to ensure its work is done as effectively as possible, and to not prejudice any outcome.”

Gold Coast horse trainer Gillian and daughter Tayla Heinrich at their stables with horse Invinsible Tears, which is among the animals registered as a secured asset by Multiplex. Pics Adam Head

As well as his companies’ troubles, Mr Heinrich is defending a case sparked by the tax office, which claimed it was owed $9.84m in unpaid tax by Heinrich Formwork.

Meanwhile, Mr Heinrich’s wife, Gillian Heinrich – one of Queensland’s most successful racehorse trainers – is director of a new company, Heinrich Constructions Australia.

It has a QBCC licence for up to $30m maximum revenue.