Western Australia building company to pay $10,000 penalty after misleading City of Geraldton

A Western Australia building company in Geraldton, Will-Construct Pty Ltd, and director Peter William Willoughby, of Wandina, have been ordered to pay $5,000 each to the Building Commissioner by the Building Services Board for misleading conduct in relation to commercial buildings.

The small company of general contractors worked only on non-residential buildings, not including industrial buildings and warehouses.

The company admitted that they misled the City of Geraldton as to the identity of the builder on the building licence applications, in relation to commercial sheds on three sites. This was from 8 February 2012 to 19 November 2012.

Building Commissioner Peter Gow said that all the information requested on an application for a building licence is required for “good reason”, and that providing misleading or incorrect details can have serious consequences. Gow said that this was the case even if the incorrect information was inadvertently provided.

“It is particularly crucial that the builder’s true details are known because, at the end of the day, they are responsible for the work carried out,” he said.

“Consumers also have a right to know who the person they have engaged to carry out building work is and should be able to check the person has the necessary skills, qualifications and registration, if required, to perform work to a sufficient standard.”