An unauthorised builder could be operating in the Illawarra, according to NSW Fair Trading.
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The department is trying to find consumers who may have been approached by or had dealings with Matthew Geoffrey Rixon.
Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said Mr Rixon, who does shoddy or incomplete work, has been reported recently to be advertising for work and seeking to recruit licensed tradespeople on the website Gumtree.
Fair Trading has contacted the owners of Gumtree to alert them to Mr Rixon’s ads and practices and they are helping Fair Trading with its enquiries.
In a statement the department alleged Mr Rixon was a serial offender who undertakes unlicensed fencing, decking and minor building works under various names.
Matthew Geoffrey Rixon has been the subject of several public warnings and court action by NSW Fair Trading.
On April 17 this year, the NSW Supreme Court placed a permanent injunction on Mr Rixon, prohibiting him from conducting, being engaged in or being involved in any residential building work or specialist work.
Mr Rixon cannot act as a sole trader or director of a company, as a trustee or beneficiary of a trust and was banned from entering into a partnership or engaging other people to carry out work on his behalf in the building industry.
The department has received a tip-off that Mr Rixon is operating in the Sutherland Shire and Illawarra areas.
He may be sub-contracting to licensed tradespeople, the department alleged in a statement.
Anyone who has had any dealings with Mr Rixon or any of his businesses should contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or Sutherland police on 9542 0899.
Mr Rixon has used aliases in the past, including the names Matt Geoffrey, Matthew Ewing, Andrew Gough and Patrick Harding.
Mr Rixon is believed to be using the following company names: Meadow Fencing Pty Ltd; Waratah Decks Pty Ltd; Willow Cleaning & Maintenance Pty Ltd; Rix Holdings Australia Pty Ltd; and, Rix Holdings Group Australia Pty Ltd; Duke Group Victoria; Duke Group SA; Duke Group NSW; Duke Group No 1; Duke Group WA;
Duke Group Tasmania; Duke Group QLD; Shire Property Services Pty Ltd; Duke Builders; Duke Group; Duke Fencing; Duke Tourism; Duke Property; Duke Lawns; Duke Hospitality; Rixco Fencing Pty Ltd; Rixco Group Pty Ltd; Rixco Constructions Pty Ltd; Deck A Day Pty Ltd; Quality Building Solutions Pty Ltd; Affordable Fencing Solutions; Affordable Home Improvements & Maintenance Services; Quality Fencing Solutions; and, Tomaree Building Services.