Company that builds petrol stations under the pump for unpaid bills

A Melbourne business which builds petrol stations for major fuel companies and the defence force is under fire for not paying its bills and leaving small contractors under the pump. 

Judy and Dennis Darko, who run Innovative Metal Fabrication and both turn 70 this year, produced fuel "fill" boxes for Fuel System Solutions one-year-ago.

But they said the company has still not paid its $14,500 bill. 

READ MORE: Why an Aussie community are boycotting local petrol stations

"We're not a charity," Mr Darko, who hopes to soon retire, said. 

"It's been very stressful on my wife who looks after finances." 

Another business, which provided concrete for a service station in Dimboola, in Western Victoria, said it had an outstanding debt of almost $50,000 – 15 months on.

READ MORE: Faulty petrol pumps ripping off Australians to the tune of $12 million

While the Dimboola Motel, which accommodated workers who were building the petrol station, said it was owed almost $20,000. 

Owner Trevor Barker said he even brought the workers into his own home for a Christmas meal. 

"We got friendly with their workers and they said, 'don't worry, they've got plenty of money, they'll pay'." 

READ MORE: How to find the cheapest fuel in Sydney

All three companies said previous payment plans ended in broken promises. 

A Current Affair has also seen "payment remittances" that were sent to debtors, confirming payment had been made, despite money never reaching their accounts. 

When confronted at her office, Fuel System Solutions co-director Annette Scott blamed it on a bank glitch. 

She admitted that her company owed money to a number of businesses, including those featured in our story. 

"We're not trying to scam people out of money," she said.

Ms Scott blamed the payment back-log on the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"At the moment we are owed a large amount of money by one builder – $400,000 – that has now gone to court," she said. 

Ms Scott did not provide documentation to support this claim. 

Regardless, A Current Affair understands that builder was in no way involved in the projects leaving the businesses out-of-pocket. 

"We want them to be successful as well – but they just cannot do it on the backs of other people," the Darko's daughter Renee said. 

In a legal letter from Fuel System Solutions' lawyers, the company said it has now reached out to all three creditors in our story. 

Those companies told A Current Affair payment plans were yet to be finalised.