Subbies out $1.4 million in collapse

THE liquidator of collapsed Gold Coast builder Future Urban Residential is investigating whether the couple behind it committed any offences in the lead-up to the failure.

In a report of the company’s position, lodged with ASIC this week, sole director and makeup saleswoman Kirsty Thew admitted the company owes $1.37 million to 79 creditors, mostly small subcontractors.

Ms Thew logged the unsecured debts ranging from $43 for spring water up to $228,272, owed to a Brisbane hardware store.

Among the claimants is Beenleigh Interior Linings, a family business which is owed $101,757, according to the Future Urban director’s report.

Owner Jodie Ahrens said the family had mortgaged their home to pay their own debts and that this company collapse was the second that had hit them in 12 months.

“Altogether we’ve lost about a quarter of a million bucks,” she said.

“If I’d gone to the racetrack and gambled that amount, at least I could blame myself.

“A lot of that is equity we’ve drawn on our own home loan – because we pay all of our people fortnightly, on time.”

SV Partners liquidator Matt Bookless said the QBCC had identified Future Urban’s general manager Andrew Thew, Kirsty Thew’s husband, as a possible shadow director of the company.

The Bulletin has unsuccessfully attempted to contact the Thews.

Mr Bookless said he wanted to hear from subcontractors of Future Urban, particularly those who may have been requested to do work for the company in January or February.

“That will assist my investigation as to whether or not any offences have been committed by the director, or by her husband, who may have been acting as a shadow director,” he said.

“Mr Thew is already considered by the QBCC to be a person of influence.”

As well as creditors, 13 debtors to the company are listed, reportedly owing Future Urban a total of $383,736, including a $103,932 “GST refund” from the Australia Australian Taxation Office.

The company is also owed $116,662 by Mr and Ms Thew, the report says.

Mr Bookless said the validity of the amounts listed by Ms Thew on the report had not yet been verified but that he had already demanded payment of the Thew’s debt.