Emerald Residents Demand Accountability and Transparency in New Home Builds

Residents in Emerald, Queensland, particularly Kim and Keven Abraham, are raising their voices against the challenges faced in new home constructions. What was supposed to be a dream retirement house turned into a nightmare for the Abrahams, with their $1 million property plagued with defects and construction issues.

In a quest for justice, the couple sought assistance from builder turned TikTok influencer, Zeher Khalil, to shed light on the ordeal they faced. The Abrahams’ struggle highlights the need for improved processes for individuals dealing with similar building discrepancies.

Having embarked on their housing project in March 2022, the Abrahams anticipated a completion date by June the same year. However, persistent delays prolonged their wait until November 2023, when they finally gained access to their residence.

Despite investing nearly $1 million into their home, the Abrahams encountered a multitude of issues, ranging from wiring hazards to missing fixtures. Their accounts reveal unsettling narratives, like the necessity of last-minute adjustments to prevent flooding and the absence of key components like sinks and fans on-site.

The ordeal did not constrain solely the Abrahams but extended to other families in Emerald who confronted parallel challenges in their constructions. Mark and Loice Picozzi, in a parallel predicament, adamantly refused final payments until their home was completed to satisfaction, eventually necessitating intervention from their bank.

With the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) mediating the disputes, the residents are advocating for a more streamlined mechanism to address building irregularities and enforce accountability on builders.

As the QBCC initiates investigations and inspections into the grievances raised by the Abrahams and other affected parties, the spotlight shines on the necessity for stringent regulations and consumer protections in the construction industry.