Updated about an hour ago
Tradies have been warned to steer clear of a Melbourne builder who has had two companies barred from operating in Queensland, but still remains active in Victoria.
Key points:
- Frank Nadinic is accused of owing money to contractors on projects in Port Douglas and Ballarat
- A subcontractors' association questioned how Mr Nadinic continued to work in Victoria when his Queensland licence was cancelled
- Mr Nadinic denies the allegations and is appealing against the Queensland construction commission's decision
Frank Nadinic, who has personally been bankrupt multiple times, and is accused of owing subcontractors hundreds of thousands of dollars, is currently the director of several companies including The Construction Studio Pty Ltd and Building Projects Aus Pty Ltd.
Both companies were suspended by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) last month as part of an investigation into a luxury apartment development in Port Douglas.
Following the QBCC's investigation, the licence for Building Projects Aus was cancelled on November 5 for inadequate site supervision, while The Construction Studio had been illegally operating without a licence.
The QBCC described Mr Nadinic as "notorious" and "dodgy" and warned subbies and suppliers to "exercise caution" when dealing with him, as it investigates claims of non-payment.
"[He] has been the subject of a previous creditor's petition in Victoria and the QBCC is further investigating his involvement in construction in Queensland," QBCC commissioner Brett Bassett said.
Despite those warnings, Mr Nadinic continues to hold a domestic and commercial building licence with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and his companies remain involved in a number of projects in his home state.
The VBA has confirmed the sanctions against Mr Nadinic in Queensland are unlikely to have any bearing on his Victorian licences.
An association representing subcontractors said that was not good enough.
"Every job … [Mr Nadinic] is associated with in Australia should be shut down," Subbies United's John Goddard said.
"You only have to Google his name to see that he's had multiple companies liquidated," he said.
PHOTO: Mr Nadinic's companies are linked to an apartment development in Moonee Ponds. (ABC News: Rudy De Santis)
Company claims it was not paid for five months
Rob Hart is an electrician based in Port Douglas, in Queensland, who is taking legal action against Mr Nadinic and Chiodo Corporation, claiming he is owed $60,000 for unpaid work and materials supplied.
"I truly don't understand how the building industry at this point right now can still allow people like that," Mr Hart said.
Austin Sexton, who runs a scaffolding business, claimed Mr Nadinic him owed more than $30,000 for work completed on the Port Douglas site — a sum that was eventually paid by the developer.
"This can really destroy people's lives," he said.
"Could you afford to not be paid for five months?"
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