Better Building & Construction formerly Double M Constructions Pty Ltd penalised for illegal Carlton North demolition works

Carlton North residents alerted authorities to the illegal works after they were woken by the sound of jackhammers.

Builder Mark Micklethwait on a job site in 2020. Picture: Tony Gough

A Melbourne building company has been penalised $8000 for conducting a partial demolition in Carlton North without a building permit.

The Victorian Building Authority, VBA, took disciplinary action against Better Building & Construction Pty Ltd, formerly Double M Constructions Pty Ltd, for contravening the Building Act by starting demolition at a property prior to a permit being issued.

Neighbours made a complaint after waking to the sound of jackhammers.

The appointed relevant building surveyor visited the site to find that a rear skillion roof and internal structure of an existing dwelling had been removed.

The surveyor stopped all work until after a building permit was issued.

Melbourne builder Mark Micklethwait has been reprimanded by the VBA. Picture: Tony Gough

In addition to the financial penalty, the company was issued a reprimand and nominee director Mark Mick­lethwait was ordered to complete training in arranging building applications and approvals.

The VBA’s Executive Director of Regulatory Operations David Brockman said the company’s conduct appeared to be the result of a lack of awareness of what was required.

Mr Brockman said ordering the company’s nominee director to undertake training meant the VBA was using its full suite of regulatory tools to protect consumers and prevent repeat behaviour.

“When builders break these rules, they compromise people’s safety and put at risk the reputation of every builder, the vast majority of who do the right thing,” Mr Brockman said.

Better Building & Construction Pty Ltd had until July 6 to apply to VCAT for review of the decision.

Mr Micklethwait declined to comment when contacted on Tuesday.