This document summarizes a dispute between a family and the Building Services Authority (BSA) regarding defective bamboo flooring installed in the family's newly constructed home. The flooring buckled severely, preventing the family from moving in. While the BSA initially found in the family's favor, requiring the floors be replaced, the BSA later reversed its decision without informing the family. The family has spent $30,000 fighting the case so far and repairs are estimated to cost over $100,000. Brisbane's Lord Mayor criticized the BSA for being "bogged down with red tape" and failing to properly handle building disputes.

1. thesundaymail.com.au
thesundaymail.com.au SPECIAL INVESTIGATION NEWS 11
owners say it’s
dodgy builders Close call: The house in
Gimba St, Mitchelton.
Red tape
tangle
angers
Quirk
Kelmeny Fraser
BRISBANE’S Lord Mayor has
turned on the Building Ser-
vices Authority (BSA), saying
the Government needed to
find ways to make it a
Floor fail: Bamboo flooring ‘‘stronger force’’.
that buckles (above) has ‘‘Unfortunately at times the
prevented the Presser family State Government’s Building
(right) from moving properly Services Authority has been
into their home. bogged down with red tape
and therefore unable to get the
best result,’’ Lord Mayor
Family
Graham Quirk said.
The council has referred 45
cases involving private
certifiers to the BSA and
floored
allocated $100,000 this year to
work the body.
Cr Quirk said he allocated
the funds in an attempt to
by BSA
‘‘stomp out this tick-and-flick
attitude of dodgy operators
and (to) stop bad development
before it becomes a problem.’’
backflip
It comes as the council and
the BSA grapple with what has
been described as one of the
worst failings in Queensland’s
building approvals system.
David Murray pop up beneath their feet. Services Authority first found poor ventilation, so the couple reversed their directive – but Residents of Gimba St,
‘‘We got to the point where in their favour then mysteri- went to the BSA. they hadn’t informed us. Mitchelton, first raised the
DAYS after Tim and Leanne we virtually got speed humps ously changed its mind. ‘‘The BSA decided he was ‘‘We rang the BSA and they alarm about a house being
Presser had bamboo flooring going through the house up to So far they have spent at fault and he should replace said they’d decided to have an built in the street only 82cm
laid in the final stages of 20cm high,’’ Mr Presser said. about $30,000 on the case all the floors and gave him a expert conclave where their from the road two years ago.
rebuilding their dream North In his mind it was a rela- and the bill is still rising, but directive to do so.’’ expert and his expert agreed But work on the house was
Tamborine home, the boards tively straightforward case. they have little choice as the However, the repair work he wasn’t at fault and we able to continue because of a
began to buckle. The boards and their repair bill is estimated to be never started. should find our own means of legal loophole, sparking a
More than three years later installation were defective, so more than $100,000. ‘‘We were trying to find out taking action.’’ The case is neighbourhood feud and legal
the couple and their four should have been replaced. The home’s new external when he was going to come now before the state Civil and action.
children still can’t move into Instead, the couple is still bamboo decking also failed. out and actually replace it and Administrative Tribunal. A council spokesman said
their house after the flooring fighting to have their floors The installer blamed issues why it was taking so long. He the matter was currently be-
deteriorated so badly it would replaced, after the Building ranging from water leaks to then told us the BSA had murrayd@qnp.newsltd.com.au fore the BSA.
ALL IN ALL IT'S JUST...
JULY 3 2011 Page 11
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