Mr Smith’s business Doherty, Smith and Associates worked on the project from day one and like Mr Nolan, was not paid entirely by Trent Civil Group, which was sub-contracted by Richard Crookes Constructions to work on the facility.

As a result, Mr Smith stopped work but he was subsequently employed by Richard Crookes and continued to work for them.

But the company is still between $5000 and $6000 short of what they should have been paid for the work.

“In early 2007 I pulled the pin because Trents hadn’t been paying,” Mr Smith said. “It probably worked out to be good for us because Crookes then employed us and we never had any issues, but we lost somewhere between $5000 and $6000 on the job.

“We would love to see the money but given Trents has gone into receivership then it is hard to see where it will come from.

“I have compared notes with Dave Nolan and his situation is quite tragic. It’s a shame something that was supposed to be so good for Wellington has cost so many in the town.”

The Daily Liberal contacted the office of NSW commerce minister Eric Roozendaal yesterday.

A spokesperson for the minister said there was little that could be done at Government level to help Mr Nolan or any of the people owed money by Trent Civil Group.

“Both the Minister for Commerce and his department have received and responded to representations from Mr Nolan and his legal representatives,” the spokesperson said.

“As unfortunate as this situation is, it is strictly a commercial matter between Mr Nolan’s company and another company for whom Mr Nolan provided sub-contracting services. The Department of Commerce is not a party to any dispute that may have arisen from these commercial arrangements.”

ben.walker@rural press.com