Painter sees red over Coral Coast Homes

NIKENBAH painter Ray King knows he's one of the lucky ones but that has not put him off the scent.

He still wants to track down the elusive John Biles, director of troubled building company Coral Coast Homes.

A warrant has been issued for Mr Biles' arrest after he failed to attend an enforcement hearing at Bundaberg Court house to provide documentation on the company's financial matters.

Mr King, who feels fortunate to be owed only $1400 by Mr Biles, is not convinced by rumours Mr Biles is hiding out in Hervey Bay, believing Brisbane is more likely.

“I want to know where he is so he can be pinned down. I wanted to do a 'wanted' poster to put it on the internet but I don't have a photo of him.

“If I knew where he was, I could call the bailiffs and have him picked up in half an hour.”

Mr King realised Mr Biles was “not crash hot” when his Fraser Coast Painting business was contracted to work on a house in Bargara.

He contacted the BSA and took Mr Biles to adjudication.

“I got a partial cheque (for $6700) out of him about a week before they closed their doors.

“I was one of the first to pin him down. The BSA made a judgment and stood there and got him to cough it up.

“I'm luckier than some because I got a cheque before it got ugly.”

Coral Coast Homes went into liquidation at the beginning of the month, owing about $1 million to customers and tradespeople throughout the Wide Bay who may have little hope of recovering their cash. The receivers were to hold a meeting in Bundaberg yesterday.

Mr King hopes no one else will lose out financially as he has.

“My interest is that I want to make sure he doesn't start up another business.”

He has also heard rumours during the past week that three Hervey Bay builders are in financial trouble but does not know the identity of any of them.

“In this industry you look to do the job and usually have to fight to get paid. Now you've got to take a bit of a punt on who's got money and who has not.”