• Several defects found in construction of a two-storey house
• SAT mediation concludes with a $7,500 fine for lack of supervision
• Building company is now in administration

A former building company supervisor has accepted a $7,500 fine at the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for not properly overseeing work at a Busselton house where several faults were found.

Jeremy Peter Evans (BP12715) was the nominated supervisor of Southbound Homes Pty Ltd (BC12901, expired) and the site supervisor for the construction of the two-storey house in 2016.

Southbound Homes entered voluntary administration in 2017.

Following mediation at the SAT in November 2021, facts agreed by the parties show that by September 2016 disputes had arisen between Southbound Homes and the home owner, who locked the gate to the site. Southbound Homes had no further access to the house and ended the contract with the home owner in October 2016. 

An investigation by Building and Energy identified failures by Mr Evans in relation to issues at the house including the installation of roof sheeting without some tie-downs in place; an incorrectly oriented structural column; two missing slab reinforcement bars; installation of suspended floor components while supporting beams were incompletely installed or non-compliant; non-structural brickwork defects; and poorly installed second floor external wall sheets.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the Building Services Board alleged that Mr Evans failed to properly manage and supervise a building service as required by WA’s builder registration laws.

Mr Evans did not detect or rectify the issues in a timely manner or in accordance with the applicable building standards, approved plans or manufacturer’s instructions. In several instances he authorised work to progress on or around non-compliant areas, meaning the subsequent work would have to be undone to allow for rectification.

Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan said the proceedings showed the importance of close supervision of building projects.

“Registered building contractors are required by law to have a nominated supervisor for their work,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.

“This supervisor should actively and diligently carry out their responsibilities to prevent issues such as these in the first place or at least address them adequately at the earliest opportunity.”

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Media contact: BEmedia@dmirs.wa.gov.au

Note: BC and BP numbers refer to registration as a building contractor or building practitioner. The registers of building service providers are available at commerce.wa.gov.au/buildersearch