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Moreton Bay bandits: Builders convicted over unlawful work
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has secured convictions against two individuals in Moreton Bay for separate incidents of unlawful building work.
According to the watchdog, both individuals’ charges involved unlawful building work, excessive deposit demands, and non‑compliant contracting practices.
Appearing at the Caboolture Magistrates Court, Christopher John Ravaillion was fined $5,000 after pleading guilty to carrying out building work unlicensed, commencing work without a compliant regulated contract, and demanding and receiving an excessive deposit.
Christopher Michael Bernard Bostock, the other offender, was convicted in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court for carrying out building work without a licence and demanding and receiving an excessive deposit.
He was fined $17,500 and ordered to pay $10,963.96 in compensation to the home owner.
The QBCC said that both matters highlighted the serious consequences of deliberately operating outside Queensland’s building laws.
CEO and commissioner Angelo Lambrinos said the prosecutions would continue to protect homeowners from individuals who broke the law and support licensees who invested time and money in meeting regulatory obligations.
“With these two latest outcomes, I cannot emphasise enough the importance for home owners to understand the maximum deposit limits and to not pay excessive deposit amounts or pay ahead of time for building work,” he said.
Lambrinos also urged Queensland home owners to do their due diligence before entering into any building or renovation project.
“Home owners should always check that their contractor is appropriately licensed, check reviews and seek references from a contractor as well as ensuring a compliant written contract is in place before work starts,“ he said.
“Taking these steps upfront significantly reduces the risk of financial loss, disputes and incomplete work,” Lambrinos concluded.