NSW Fair Trading has successfully prosecuted a Northern Beaches repeat offender for multiple breaches of home building laws.
Denny Shallis, who traded as Koala Carpentry at Collaroy Plateau, was sentenced and fined $19,600 at Parramatta Local Court on 11 April under the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Building Act 1989.
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rose Webb said this isn’t the first time the 42-year-old carpenter has been charged with such offences.
“In 2015, Mr Shallis was fined about $15,000 for performing unlicensed work and he has repeated this offence yet again,” Ms Webb said.
Ms Webb explained that between October 2015 to August 2016, Mr Shallis contracted and performed significant repairs and renovations for a property in Pymble.
The work included excavation, concreting, drainage, demolition, roofing, plumbing and tiling. However, Mr Shallis did not hold the license required to legally perform the work.
“Importantly, Mr Shallis was required to obtain ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Building Compensation Fund Insurance for work at the Pymble property but he did not do so and wasn’t even eligible to obtain the insurance,” Ms Webb said.
“This case shows that Fair Trading ensures that repeat offenders like Mr Shallis are prosecuted and penalised when they continue to ignore the law.
“Fair Trading also reminds consumers that they should check the background and license of any builder or other trader before hiring them. This can be easily done on the Fair Trading website.”
Mr Shallis has the right to lodge an appeal.
