Half-way house still in limbo

Laurie Chetter looks over the half-built house next to his property.

Allan Reinikka

ROCKHAMPTON'S Laurie Chetter wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get to live next door to the people building the beautiful big house next to his place on Thirkettle Ave.

Laurie said it had been months since any work had been done on the home following the Building Services Authority's cancellation of Yeppoon-based builder Kidner Pty Ltd's licence.

In November The Bulletin reported on the situation the home's owners, a Rockhampton couple who have asked not to be identified, found themselves in.

Then the BSA had contacted the seven parties who had entered into contracts with Kidner to work through any problems with them.

Yesterday, Laurie said he'd been in regular contact with the couple and he believed that they were getting the runaround.

He said the couple was told they should have put a roof on the premises, despite initial advice not to do any work while an assessment was being made.

And although they're still a long way from any settlement they have to pay extended rent and the interest repayments on any borrowings.

Laurie questioned whether the level of insurance coverage would be enough to enable the building to be completed.

"They've had that many troubles, I think they're likely to sell the home as soon as it's completed," Laurie said.

However, BSA general manager Ian Jennings said the couple had nothing to fear.

Mr Jennings said the authority had assessed their insurance entitlement and informed them they now needed to engage a builder to complete their home.

He said there had been some issues with the work done which had been caused by the weather, but he now expected work to start sooner rather than later.