Watchdog bites after shed scam exposed

THE Queensland Building and Construction Commission had already moved to cancel shonky shed operator Paul DeBruin's licence before he ripped off Ipswich customers.

The QBCC revealed yesterday that it had excluded Mr DeBruin from holding a licence, after liquidators were appointed to one of his previous businesses, Sunrise Erections, on April 28 last year.

Mr DeBruin lodged an appeal with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), however, allowing him to operate legally in the interim period.

QCAT has dismissed the appeal and QBCC Commissioner Steve Griffin yesterday confirmed Mr DeBruin had been classified as an excluded person.

This means Mr DeBruin is not allowed to hold a QBCC licence or be an influential person in a building-related entity for five years.

The Queensland Times recently spoke to several customers of Patios and Sheds Ipswich, who were ripped off after paying deposits for sheds, carports and garage doors.

The owner of the Warwick Rd property where the business operated locked the gates in January due to non-payment of rent and customers have been unable to contact the company ever since.

Two of the companies that those Ipswich customers signed contracts with - LBM Projects and DMV Ipswich - have since come under investigation by the QBCC.

Mr Griffin confirmed earlier this month that LBM projects' licence had been suspended, and DMV's licence cancelled. Investigations into the activities of the various companies are continuing.

Originally posted here:
Watchdog bites after shed scam exposed