Homes by Gold Coaster Adrian Hill’s collapsed AB Hill Constructions unapproved, may have to be demolished

SOME homes built by a collapsed Gold Coast building company were constructed before they had development approval. The Council’s shocking response could have dramatic consequences for their owners.

This nearly-completed home on Monaco St does not have development approval. Picture Mike Batterham

GOLD Coast City Council officers granted development approvals to a now-collapsed building company when construction of the new homes was already under way or complete.

However, some homes built by Adrian Hill’s failed company AB Hill Constructions are all but complete without development approval, leaving neighbours in shock and homeowners with potentially worthless insurance.

Several devastated clients of AB Hillcontacted the Bulletin this week as they battle to claim under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s mandatory Home Warranty Scheme.

The Broadbeach Waters house which was sprayed with graffiti. Photo: Supplied

Some have been told their dream homes may have to be demolished.

The QBCC yesterday said it had 16 open complaints about AB Hill, including seven for incomplete homes, and that its insurance scheme would not pay out on claims for unapproved developments.

“The homeowner can obtain development approval and the claim will proceed as normal,” a statement from the commission said.

“If the owner cannot get development approval, they can make a claim under the scheme for demolition of the work and for a refund of the amount paid under the contract to the contractor.”

AUZMET COMPANIES OF TUCKER FAMILY IN LIQUIDATION

Builder Adrian Hill’s company is in liquidation and unlicensed.

For one of the houses, it took numerous complaints and more than a year for the council to send an officer to the site after a neighbour reported the illegal work on a waterfront home on Monaco St at Broadbeach Waters.

That home, more than 10.4 metres high among its single-storey neighbours, has three storeys and a lift and is nearly complete despite council records showing it has not been approved.

But Mr Hill, whose company licence was suspended three times last year before being permanently cancelled in January, denies he’s done anything wrong.

“There’s a building approval for Monaco St — we’re just still waiting for approval for the third storey,” he said.

“It’s in council and we’re waiting for a decision — we have advice that it’s going to be approved.”

A suspension of Mr Hill’s licence was lifted by QCAT in December, allowing his to continue trading and collecting money from clients and services from subcontractors.

In a response to questions asked about the homes two days ago, council’s media department sent a statement confirming the development had not been approved.

“Compliance investigations undertaken by officers have resulted in a development application being made at Monaco St which seeks to lawfully establish the proposed partial third-story dwelling,” the statement said.

“If a development application is lodged retrospectively it does not increase the likelihood of approval.

“Council will take compliance action where a development has either occurred without an approval or where it is not being carried out in accordance with an approval.”

GET A NEW TABLET WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN

The unapproved home dwarfs its neighbour. Picture: Mike Batterham

The council would not say why their compliance action took so long, why they did not act on the neighbours’ complaints before the home was nearly finished, or why builders should bother seeking approval before construction when they could apparently go ahead and build without it.

When neighbours Dale and Lexia Kleimeyer were finally given the chance to formally object to the proposal, they lodged a 36-page submission.

It included an engineer’s report showing the building’s unapproved height was bouncing previously inaudible noise from Bundall Rd straight at their home.

“This was supposed to be where we retire and spend the rest of our lives,” Ms Kleimeyer said. “Now all we want to do is go.”

Other neighbours also objected to the home — but construction was close to completion before public consultation began.

A Broadbeach Waters home constructed by AB Hill was sprayed with graffiti this week. Photo: Supplied

At least three AB Hill homes commenced construction at a higher density than zoned and with approvals not in place for partial third storeys before work commenced.

In the case of the Monaco St home, and another in the same suburb, old houses were demolished without approval and work on the new homes also began before proper approvals were obtained.

Asked about one of the jobs that did not have approval before demolition or construction work began, Mr Hill blamed his private certifier for not submitting documents on time.

Further frustrating subbies and clients is the fact Mr Hill still holds a flawless individual licence as a nominee, leaving him free to work for other builders as a supervisor.

Builder Adrian Hill in 2014.

His company was wound up last month after a creditor took Supreme Court action against it.

Liquidator Mark Davidson, of Pearce & Heers, said 12 subcontractors had so far contacted the firm with debt claims totalling more than $400,000. He expected the number to rise.

Police were called to one of Mr Hill’s former work sites on Tuesday after someone spray-painted “pay tradesman or burn” across the new fence.

Queensland Fire and Rescue crews have been spotted patrolling the area since and Mr Hill yesterday denied the vandalism was related to AB Hill.

The QBCC said it had started exclusion proceedings against Mr Hill.

“The proceedings require that Mr Hill be given 28 days in which to make submissions about why he should not be excluded,” the regulator said in a statement.

“Otherwise, his individual licence may be cancelled, leading to his exclusion from the industry for three years.

”Mr Hill’s current licence does not allow him to contract with the public or authorise him to

perform building work, or to provide management or advisory services relating to building

work.

“The QBCC has also commenced additional investigations in regards to Mr Hill’s current

licence.

“The QBCC is working with customers and subcontractors affected by this company collapse

and we urge anyone with information or concerns about the company to contact us.”