Troubled builder’s licence is cancelled

QUEENSLAND’S building watchdog has cancelled the licence of Future Urban Residential — a month after the company went into liquidation owing more than $1 million to 79 creditors.

The licence of Future Urban, whose sole director is online makeup saleswoman Kirsty Thew, was cancelled on Friday for failure to satisfy minimum financial requirements.

The licence had been suspended on February 21 — just three weeks after it had been reinstated after a previous cancellation.

Ms Thew has told liquidator Matthew Bookless of SV Partners the company owes $1.37 million to 79 creditors, mostly small subcontractors.

Some of those creditors are mounting a push to have Mr Bookless removed as liquidator, as he was voluntarily appointed by Ms Thew.

Subbies United founder John Goddard, himself a subcontractor, has rallied about 40 creditors who he said intend to vote to appoint a new liquidator.

Mr Goddard said there was evidence some subcontractors had worked for Future Urban in the final days before the liquidation, when the company knew it was struggling financially.

“It’s reprehensible,” he said.

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

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

Ms Thew and her husband Andrew Thew, who was general manager of Future Urban, are previous employees of Queensland One Homes, which collapsed in July owing more than $6 million.

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.

Mr Bookless said he was not aware of any reason why he should be replaced.

“But (replacing a liquidator) is an important right that creditors have so you just have to roll with it,” he said.

“It’s not for me to go out of my way to change their mind.”

The QBCC said in a statement they were bound by legislation to allow companies 21 business days to respond to a show cause notice before cancelling a licence.

“As the company didn’t respond within that period we promptly cancelled its licence on the 23 March, when the 21 days expired,” the statement said.

“The company’s licence remained suspended during the 21 business days, and the control of the company has been in the hands of the liquidators since 26 February.”