Home dreams shattered as Perth families gagged by builders’ silence culture
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West Australian families who are unhappy with their home builder say they are being silenced with threatening legal letters and non-disparagement agreements, leaving them with little recourse to get out of their contract.
Coogee electrician Michael Tomic has been caught in a battle with a WA builder after he decided he wanted to terminate his building contract due to concerns about the financial advice they had given him.
The Beeliar block the Tomic family were planning to build on.
Home dreams shattered as Perth families gagged by builders silence culture
watoday.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from watoday.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Home dreams shattered as Perth families gagged by builders silence culture
theage.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theage.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Summer safety advice from Building and Energy
Western Australia’s building and energy safety regulator is sharing top tips for a safe summer when using gas barbecues and camping appliances, pools, party lights, lithium-ion batteries, roof spaces and items attached to pillars.
Gas barbecues
“A barbecue is a great Australian tradition, but gas barbecues can be dangerous if they are not correctly used or maintained,” Building and Energy A/Executive Director Sandy Randall said.
“Unsafe barbecues can cause fires, injuries and damage to property, but simple checks can keep your barbecue working safely.”
Top 5 tips
Check that the gas cylinder and hose are in good condition and in date. The test date stamped on the gas cylinder should not have exceeded 10 years. Also ensure there is a rubber seal (an O-ring or bung) on the connector that attaches the hose and regulator to the cylinder (pictured below).
Mr Howard was jailed for fraud regarding invoices to the North Metropolitan Health Service
His conviction led to recent action under WA building registration laws
State Administrative Tribunal issued a reprimand and an order to pay costs
A former builder has faced disciplinary action under WA’s building registration laws after being convicted of fraud over misuse of North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) funds.
Liam Glenn Howard (BP100687/BC100905, expired), of Howzat Constructions Pty Ltd, was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment in June 2020 after pleading guilty to 18 charges of gaining benefit by fraud.
The fraud offences related to inflated invoices submitted by Mr Howard to the NMHS in 2015. Evidence presented at the District Court revealed that the surplus money funded building work carried out by Howzat Constructions at private homes linked to a senior NMHS staff member.