New battle for ‘Wrecker’

Neighbours rail against Miami duplex proposal

CONTROVERSIAL Gold Coast identity Joseph “Will the Wrecker” Smith is embroiled in sex scandals, missing millions and now being accused of trying to destroy an exclusive neighbourhood.

Mr Smith has plans to convert a dilapidated Miami beachside home into a fourstorey duplex.

Eleven neighbours objected to the development (pictured as an artist’s impression), saying Mr Smith has used the Kelly Ave block as a wrecking yard. Neighbours don’t want him to convert the bat and vermin-infested building into a flash new “eyesore” that would be almost double the height of the area guidelines.

Mr Smith made his fortune when he sold most of his 5ha Reedy Creek wrecking yard to the State Government for $9 million in 2016.

He is fighting legal battles against former employee and Gold Coast Meter Maids boss Michael Yarwood who alleges the 81-year-old ripped him off $2 million.

Mr Smith accused Mr Yarwood of swindling almost $4 million after being granted power of attorney, using the money on luxury cars and travel and a “sugar baby” mistress.

To add to that Mr Smith is now battling Miami residents over his proposed duplex at 5 Kelly Ave, Miami.

Mr Smith bought the property across the road from the Miami Tavern in 1996 for $400,000.

Gold Coast City Council approved a demolition application in October last year.

Demolition works have started but the building is stalled and in disrepair.

In February, Mr Smith filed a material change of use application to build a four-storey duplex in an area with a twostorey guideline that has scope for a partial third storey.

How Mr Smith has allegedly maintained the block since purchase has not created goodwill with neighbours.

“For years the applicant has treated other local residents with disdain in leaving this dangerous eyesore in place, with the existing property in a constant state of disrepair with overgrown lawn and car wrecks regularly parking in Kelly Ave or in the small front yard,” neighbour John Hammond wrote in his submission against the development.

Other residents complained about how Mr Smith looked after the building.

Gold Coast City Council is expected to make a decision on the development application within the coming months.