Artusa, who is the sole company officer of Buildqa, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court to carrying out work without a building permit in Tattenham Court, Attwood.
This involved the construction of two three-storey townhouses and garages at the Attwood site which went well beyond what was authorised under a staged building permit issued in May 2023.
Buildqa also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a stop work building order issued by the Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS) in December 2024 following an inspection by Hume City Council.
In sentencing the Magistrate took into account Artusa's family and financial circumstances and didn't record a conviction but described the conduct as very serious.
The staged building permit issued last year only allowed work to the 'Stage 1 – Slab Steel' stage and included five mandatory inspection requirements.
The court found the work progressed well beyond the permit scope with substantial structural framework and brickworks completed past the ground floor level of the $650,000 project.
The successful prosecution comes after the VBA was granted an injunction back in March to force the company to immediately stop work with the Magistrate describing the case against Buildqa as overwhelming.
More than 130 defects and non compliances have been identified at the site. It is still to be determined whether the structure can be rectified or will need to be demolished.
Building permits, issued by a private or municipal building surveyor, protect the consumer by certifying a proposed building complies with the relevant building regulations.
These important documents ensure practitioners working on the project are registered and insured and that key stages of the work are independently inspected.
VBA Commissioner and CEO Anna Cronin said:
'Building permits exist to protect consumers and ensure homes are safe and compliant.'
'Conduct like this undermines confidence in the building industry and those who engage in it should expect serious consequences from the regulator.'
Why building permits matter
Building permits are in place to protect consumers and ensure homes are built safely and to standard. They also:
- Ensure practitioners are registered and insured
- Require independent inspections at critical stages
- Confirm building works meet regulatory standards
If you're starting a building project, always check that the builder is registered and holds the correct permits before any work begins. Find a registered practitioner
