Builder of mega mansion not paid

8:00a.m. 30th March 2006

By Kathy Sundstrom

BUILDING on Buderims mega-mansion home to 13 bathrooms and an alleged nuclear bunker has stopped because the American-born owner, Ron Miller, has not paid his bills yet.

Neighbours of Queenslands most expensive home mistakenly assumed building had stopped in October because they were taking Mr Miller and the builder, Kate Dillon, to court to have it knocked down.

But Ms Dillon revealed in the Planning and Environment Court last month that work on the home had stopped because she was in mediation with Mr Miller as she was waiting to get paid.

Ms Dillon refused to comment yesterday except to confirm that mediation was in process about a substantial amount Mr Miller had owed since mid-year.

All I can say is all of the contractors and suppliers who worked on the home have been paid, Ms Dillon said.

Mr Miller has employed one of Brisbanes top legal firms, Hopgood Ganim, (correct) to represent him.

Michelle Browning of Hopgood Ganim confirmed the firm was representing Mr Miller on issues that have arisen between our clients (Mr and Mrs Miller) and Ms Dillon in respect of her contract with our clients.

Those issues were referred to mediation on February 15, 2006 and were adjourned to be rescheduled for a further days hearing in April.

Ms Browning said her clients were currently overseas and did not wish to make any comment.

Neither Ms Dillon nor Mr Miller is likely to receive sympathy from the Riverview Avenue residents who have coughed up about $60,000 for the court battle to have the home demolished.

Just one door on the massive home cost over $100,000.

But then again, it was a special door ordered from South Africa as the entrance to a concrete-reinforced room which neighbours believe is a nuclear bunker.

Lloyd Laity, one of the neighbours who paid for the court case, said a decision he was waiting for the outcome from the legal proceedings was due in May.