Star Weekly is looking back at some of the best stories from 2023, this is one of them.
April 12
Home builder Porter Davis was placed into liquidation on Friday, March 31, leaving more than 1500 unfinished projects across Victoria and homeowners in limbo.
Werribee homeowner Julie McDonald purchased her property with Porter Davis in January and said the final inspection was scheduled for April 14.
Ms McDonald is a single mother to three teenagers and said she recently gave notice to leave her short-term rental.
“They booked in the final inspection last Wednesday … they sent [a confirmation] email and text, it was booked in … for April 14,” Ms McDonald said.
“I’m in a short-term rental so I gave notice to move out … [now] nobody can tell me anything, I feel absolutely sick.
“I just feel sick and overwhelmed.”
After finding out about the collapse Ms McDonald said she contacted her landlord and was told she could stay but she still has questions about the future.
“I feel like I’m living in limbo, no one can tell me yes, and no one can tell me no.”
Ms McDonald said she heard about the collapse on the news and has not been able to get in touch with anyone from Porter Davis.
“I rang about four different numbers but they’re all either turned off or don’t answer,” she said.
“It’s just crap they were operating as normal two days before … It’s just crazy.”
Ms McDonald said the property was supposed to be ready in February and now she is having to pay rent and fees for a storage locker.
“[I was] supposed to be in February, then they put it off to March, then they put it off to April.”
“I’m paying storage fees, pretty soon I’m going to be paying for a house I haven’t got.”
Accounting firm Grant Thornton has appointed three liquidators to the case and a spokesperson from the company said a range of aspects contributed to the collapse.
“The extremely challenging environment for residential home building has directly contributed to the [Porter Davis] Group’s financial position,” the spokesperson said.
“[This includes] rising input costs, supply chain delays, labour shortages, and a drop in demand for new homes in 2023 impacting the group’s liquidity.”
With Ms McDonald wants to know if another builder is going to be taking over and when she can move in.
“There’s fencing left to do, the lawn and kitchen appliances,” she said.
“I’d prefer to get someone in to do what’s left … and have that subtracted from my mortgage.”
The spokesperson said the liquidators were “working to urgently determine“ how it can help customers, including engaging with key stakeholders and potential interested parties who may be willing to take over the current customer contracts.
