Drug den bulldozed
First words of daredevil stuntman as he came to from near-death crash
FAST-moving Melbourne developer Tim Gurner, who four weeks ago unveiled plans for a “world-first” $600m Surfers Paradise project, is delivering squatters a knockout blow.
He and development partner Wingate started demolishing derelict houses on their 1.2ha Budds Beach site on Friday.
The move was described as a bid to make the area immediately more safe and secure for the surrounding neighbours.
The high-profile Budds Beach site, at 11-19 Pine Ave, previously was owned by the collapsed Ralan group and approved for twin towers.
A Gurner spokesperson said that since the Ralan project was abandoned, the houses on the site had fallen into the hands of squatters, with violence and drug deals becoming commonplace.
“The Gurner group and Wingate were only unveiled as joint-venture partners last month but have immediately set about bringing forward demolition of the derelict houses,” the spokesperson said. “Demolition of a site of this size usually wouldn’t start until plans for the new redevelopment had been approved.
“However, such is the developer’s commitment to the neighbouring community and the ambitious vision for the site that Gurner is forging ahead with early demolition in order to make the community safe.”
The 38-year-old Mr Gurner yesterday said the site had been sitting empty for some time and the existing buildings had fallen into disrepair.
“The residents deserve some assurances that the new precinct will be delivered, not in 10 years, not in five years, but imminently,” he said.
“We are here to deliver this assurance.
“We want to create something truly special for the Gold Coast that the community can be proud of and so, by starting demolition, we want to show the residents that we are committed to this vision.”
Cr Darren Taylor said it was a fantastic outcome for the residents of Budds Beach and Surfers Paradise overall.
“Today signifies the importance of communication between government and the private sector while listening to the community, local stakeholders and acting in the best interest of Surfers Paradise,” he said.
The Budds Beach site is approved for twin towers with 999 apartments.
A CONFRONTING film on Gold Coast stuntman Matt Mingay’s miracle recovery from a near-fatal Super Trucks smash has a heartbreaking moment as he wonders where Mum is.
The Mingay Challenge Accepted documentary – out this week – has never-before-seen footage of the 2016 crash, interviews with drivers who thought he’d died in the Detroit race crash and reflections from loved ones.
Mingay, who has no memory of the accident, admits it is difficult to watch himself in hospital at the time “pretty much as a vegetable, dribbling”.
Footage shows a test of his cognitive ability soon after – he painstakingly indicates keyboard keys he wants pushed to type “Where’s mum?”.
Brother Christian, who flew immediately to his bedside and to support Matt’s wife Sheena, had forbidden their mother Veronica from coming. He said it would be too upsetting for her.
Asked about the decision at a debut screening on Wednesday, Matt told the audience: “My mum is a beautiful lady and she’s so emotional and I’m so glad my brother made the right decision – 100 per cent made the right call – not bringing her. Honestly, she would just be a mess the whole time.
“I didn’t want to see anyone seeing me in the state I was in. Hats off to my wife Sheenzy, my brother, Scotty (Gregory), everyone who had faith in me.”
Footage of the incident shows him lose it on a corner hitting a wall. His speeding truck’s roof is peeled off by an exposed concrete barrier wall edge, which also scuffed his head, before he cartwheels down the track. He died on the spot but miraculously recovered from a broken neck, coma and obliterated jaw. He has had to learn to walk and talk again but is back working as a stunt driver full-time.
He retains a limp and speech impediment, but says: “I don’t whinge, I hate whinging, don’t carry on one little bit. I don’t let anyone know about it, I just get on with my life.”
Matt said the intention of the film was to inspire: “Nothing frustrates me more than seeing people who are injured or are hurt or sick, plonk themselves on the couch and feel sorry for themselves. I hate that. I feel everyone should get off their arse and get motivated to do stuff in life they want to do.”