AS the Fair Trading Minister called for calm in the wake of the Beechwood collapse, Member for Gilmore Joanna Gash said the company’s demise was symptomatic of an emerging economic crisis in NSW.

The crisis would be acutely felt in fragile regional economies, she said.

“NSW is suffering the equivalent of economic pneumonia but it seems that Dr Iemma is not making any house calls,” she said.

“The local building industry is the prime driver of the local economy - it makes the money go round and if that stops, then there will be a downstream effect.”

Mrs Gash warned the collapse would place even more strain on an already tight rental market and urged the state government to free up more land for housing.

Meanwhile, State Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock urged people affected by the collapse to contact her office for assistance.

“Residents have been told customers with homes currently under construction can claim up to $300,000 in NSW Government Home Warranty Cover, although the fact is the maximum claim is only 20 per cent of the customer contract price,” she said.

“Builders, sub-contractors and Beechwood Homes customers have been left in the dark and I urge anyone concerned to contact my office in order for me to facilitate with the Department of Fair Trading and, where needed, directly with the Minister.”