Banned builder’s horse wins
Major formwork group Heinrich Constructions has retained a Queensland builder licence, despite its director being banned from the industry and his company being in external administration.
The company holds a category five licence for maximum revenue up to $120m, and is directed by Queensland racing identity Gerhard “Hoss” Heinrich. It changed its name to Starcrest Construction on February 20, the day before its lender, Kickstart Equity, appointed receivers.
Meanwhile, tier-one builder Multiplex have placed Starcrest’s holding company into receivership, registering security interests over that company’s assets, including racehorses.
The horses at the centre of it are owned by Starcrest holding company G & H Holdings, directed by Mr Heinrich’s daughter Tayla Heinrich.
Queensland Racing and other online databases show G & H Holdings owns at least 32 racehorses, costing $5000 to $350,000 each and earning a$1.66m between them.
A response from Mr Heinrich, via lawyer James Conomos, has described the receiverships as “a private matter”. “That said, it is intended for the secured creditor to be paid shortly so that the receiver’s appointment ends.”
Mr Heinrich was banned from holding a QBCC licence until August 2025, after another of his companies, Heinrich Formwork, was wound up by the tax office.
Five firms related to Heinrich Construction are in liquidation, with debts climbing above $40m, however the company’s licence remained active on Tuesday.
The QBCC said a firm “cannot remain licensed if they have an excluded individual serving as a director”. “The QBCC ... takes decisive and prompt action to ensure excluded individuals don’t participate in the Queensland building industry during their exclusion period,” it said. “The QBCC doesn’t publicise details of all its activities, including current investigations, to ensure its work is done as effectively as possible, and to not prejudice any outcome.”
Mr Heinrich is defending a $9.48m unpaid tax office claims by Heinrich Formwork. Meanwhile, Mr Heinrich’s wife, Gillian Heinrich – a top racehorse trainer – is director of new firm, Heinrich Constructions Australia, with a QBCC licence for $30m maximum revenue.