Trophy property of banned NDIS provider being sold by liquidators

Administrators have placed a multimillion-dollar mansion owned by a banned former NDIS provider on the market in a bid to recoup costs.

Luxury home 13 Cullen Bay Cres, Cullen Bay, has been placed on the market by liquidators.

Administrators have placed the multimillion-dollar mansion of a banned former NDIS provider on the market.

Sweeping harbour views, an in-home cinema, wine cellar and infinity pool mark the 5-bedroom “trophy asset” at 13 Cullen Bay Cres, Cullen Bay, as one of Darwin’s premier pieces of real estate.

Behind the luxury, however, the fraught history of the home’s owner can be revealed as insolvency group BRI Ferrier this month opened expressions of interest on the property.

The current owner in financial strife is Andrea Cooper, the ex-managing director of a major Top End disability service provider who received a five-year ban from the NDIS in May.

Former Top End disability services provider Andrea Cooper received a five-year ban from the NDIS earlier this year.

Her ban came after the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission found she was “not suitable to provide supports or services to people with disability”.

A shorter, temporary ban was first imposed on Ms Cooper by the commission on December 13 citing “immediate danger to the health, safety or wellbeing of a person with disability”.

Her company New Chapters, New Beginnings fell into involuntary administration on November 27 after clients began rapidly fleeing the provider, raising concerns about its solvency.

Andrea Cooper bought the property for $2.1m in 2020. Picture: Supplied

Rebranding and restructuring attempts ultimately failed and in March the decision was made to liquidate the company.

Meanwhile multiple claims of workplace bullying at New Chapters, New Beginnings were referred to NT WorkSafe earlier this year but were dismissed after they could not be substantiated.

Ms Cooper purchased 13 Cullen Bay Cres in June 2020.

The land on Cullen Bay Cres was initially sold for $660,000 in 2012 and the luxury build was completed by 2016, but the high-end home struggled to sell.

It was put up for sale in 2016 with an asking price of almost $4 million, sitting on the market for 173 days before being withdrawn.

13 Cullen Bay Cres offers sweeping harbour views, a wine cellar and home cinema.

Listed for a second time in 2018 the property still would not sell despite 363 days on the market and a significantly lower asking price of $2.6 million.

Ms Cooper bought the place for $2.1 million in mid-2020.

The man now tasked with selling the home, Chin Property Group managing director Seth Chin, was optimistic there would be strong interest.

“The high end market is very competitive at the moment and we have already had several offers from the first open house,” Mr Chin said.

“It offers some of the best views in Cullen Bay, this is a landmark property for the area and a trophy asset.”

Chin Property Group’s Seth Chin described 13 Cullen Bay Cres as “a trophy asset”.

Mr Chin said while interest rate hikes had slowed sales in the lower price range, the high end bracket remained strong.

“A lot of properties that are being sold in the high end market are still selling below replacement cost, because of the cost of construction being so high,” he said.

“Compared to other properties in Cullen bay, 13 Cullen Bay Crescent is considered a new build for the area. It has four levels, an amazing pool, and the walk in wardrobe and ensuite for the master is something not seen in many houses in Darwin.”

The mansion is currently being leased to a corporate company until October 3 for $3000 per week.

Expressions of interest on the property close July 28.