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Geoff Browne and his family should have been settled into their first home, instead they’ve paid tens of thousands of dollars worth of debts and sold their dream home because it was falling apart before it was even finished. The Adelaide family have been scathing of South Australia’s consumer watchdog, labelling it a “toothless tiger” for failing to support them and act against builders who’ve allegedly broken the law. Consumer Business Services (CBS) said it cannot comment on whether it intends to take two Adelaide builders who did not have compulsory indemnity insurance for customers because it is still investigating the cases a year on.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Browne purchased a three-bedroom townhouse on Anzac Hwy in Plympton for $515,000 in December 2020, with a completion date of December 2021 stated in the contract. It was the perfect fit, near his daughter’s school, a great size and a reasonable price, he described. But the dream of moving in soon turned into sleepless nights and an all-consuming effort to have someone act against his builder, 7 Star Construction.



Browne became seriously uneasy when the builder invoiced him without rectifying defects in the home or completing frames. He raised his concern with CBS in 2022, but was told the watchdog would only take note of the issues he raised. “It was just an uphill battle from there.

No one was able to do anything or willing to do anything. They just didn’t care,” Browne sai.

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