A major Perth construction company has come under fire from hundreds of customers in what the state opposition says is an “unfolding disaster”.
The Western Australian Government today promised to meet with Nicheliving to demand answers for customers who say they have been locked in seemingly endless structures.
“I’m financially ruined because of this,” said customer Kathy Ellis.
“So I live a happy life in a camper with two teenagers. No heating, no air conditioning.’
“They promise you so much but give you nothing in return,” said another customer, Adam Mostert.
Some disgruntled customers of the state’s largest mid-sized developer wanted to confront Nicheliving managing director Ronnie Michel-Elhaj today.
Tracey Bishop said she was “hoping she could talk to Ronnie and find out what the hell was going on.”
“Something has to be done. We can’t take it anymore,” she said.
9News Perth tried to speak to Michel-Elhaj but was escorted off the premises.
The company said it was committed to delivering all the structures and urged the state government to do more.
Opposition Leader Shane Love said it was an “unfolding disaster” that required urgent action.
“It’s a terrible situation for people who are stuck,” Love said.
“It’s not one or two people, it’s hundreds of people.
Ellis said she wrote to Trade Secretary Sue Ellery “asking for help” in November.
“She texted me and told me to call Lifelong if I needed help,” Ellis said.
The government reacted immediately today after the opposition raised questions in parliament.
Ellery said he would meet with Nicheliving next week, promising to get answers from the company about the delays.
Premier Roger Cook said “Nicheliving is a big builder and they need to do the right thing by their customers”.
Nicheliving said it had received no government support for builders and called for more to be done to help established builders in what they described as economically challenging times.
