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10:12AM Friday 29 August, 2008 Sunshine Coast weather Possible shower min 12° - max 22°

Buderim mansion still not finished

12:00a.m. 21st May 2008

Buderim mansion still not finished

Lloyd Laity pictured outside his neighbour's incompleted mansion home last year. Photo: David Thomas

American-born Ron Miller has bought more than $10 million worth of Sunshine Coast property in six years – but he still has not finished building Buderim’s biggest home.

Frustrated neighbour Lloyd Laity has now called on the state government to change the law to either force Mr Miller to complete his home in Riverview Avenue or “knock it down”.

Mr Laity was one of four neighbours who spent up to $60,000 on a failed court bid to get the property demolished in 2006.

“I can’t understand how it can be allowed to continue for so long,” he said.

The mansion, believed to house a nuclear-style bunker, has been standing incomplete since 2005 due to a dispute between Mr Miller and the builder/designer, Buderim's Kate Dillon.

Ms Dillon has been trying to recoup the seven figure sums she had allegedly already spent on the property by way of legal action against Mr Miller.

Councillor Ted Hungerford said yesterday the council had no power to force Mr Miller to get on with it as it had been privately certified.

Mr Miller purchased two properties in Riverview Avenue and two in the street below for nearly $5 million to build the massive mansion.

He also bought two properties in nearby Parkview Terrace for $985,000 in 2003 and 2006 – allegedly to build a “basketball court” for the Riverview Avenue home.

Other purchases involving Mr Miller including a $925,000 property in Stringybark Road, Buderim in 2004, a $1.3 million property in Didillibah in 2003 and his most recent purchase, a $2.2 million property in Ilkley in November last year.

Mr Laity said “four television crews” were seen outside Mr Miller’s house yesterday after reports that he had split from his wife, Marsha, and that his former housekeeper had recently had their first baby.

Recent Comments

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Posted by jane_buderim from Buderim
on 21 May, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm sorry, but is this poetic justice or what? The neighbours fight to stop him building the mansion in the first place and now they want it finished? Why did they try and stop Mr Miller at all?

There is never any guarantee where views are concerned and if someone has more money than you, they can build their house, as long as they comply with Council and building regulations - end of story. Think before you act next time is all I can say.
Posted by W_W_J_D from Coolum Beach
on 21 May, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
A friend of the owner was heard to say that despite all the fuss, he really is a decent man. I think a decent man would be above the need to build such a monstrosity in the first place, even with approval, and would have made more of an effort to fit in with his neighbours. The attitude that money talks, as alluded to above, is immature and frankly a reason to question the relationship between decency and wealth.

There is currently a similar situation in Coolum where a single person's need for more is considered more important than the sanity of hundreds of nearby residents. When asked about the impact the developer simply shrugged it off. Nice.

The actions of decent people?
Posted by jane_buderim from Buderim
on 21 May, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I always fine it amazing that people read what they want to into someone else's comments - one person's monstrosity is another person's palace. I don't think it's ugly, for its size, it's actually quite nice. it's just sour grapes from other residents from what I've read from their comments. Decent people hey? Grow up and live in the real world.
Posted by acef08 from Caloundra
on 21 May, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh, so you're saying wealth equates to indecency? I suppose I should become really poor to be decent! It's not your place to make a value judgment on whether or not a 'decent man' wants to build a huge home.

I'm not saying 'rich' people are all decent, but why is it that people have this belief that because you have lots of money you suddenly lose all decency? Maybe decency has nothing to do with money, as we see that 'decent' people can be both 'rich' and 'poor.'

Society needs to get over blaming the rich for everything.
Posted by moretotell from Maroochydore
on 21 May, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Good on him.
Posted by W_W_J_D from Coolum Beach
on 21 May, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Firstly, Monstrous means big, not ugly.

Secondly, 'Grow up and live in the real world'
At what point does that statement actually offer anything constructive regarding the argument here? I can only assume that I am correct and that you mean decency no longer plays any part in our modern, material world.

Sour Grapes? A convenient, unprovable argument that says more about the judge than the judged.
Posted by W_W_J_D from Coolum Beach
on 21 May, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wealth equates to indecency.....well not all by itself, but the desire for and the power it brings often results in the few treating the many rather poorly.

But, lets not play opposites and suggest that all poor people are automatically decent. In fact this isn't about the poor at all. Funny how any questioning of the belief of wealth over everything becomes so emotional, a nerve perhaps?

It's about a man, a mighty big house and a group of upset neighbours. A situation not uncommon in this country at the moment.

If the choice of a man with dollars is more important than the consideration of others, then wallah - point proven.

And who's blaming the rich? Most of these emotive arguments are simply avoiding the discussion that perhaps the time has come to reassess the process by which we decide such things.

You all seem to be on this victimless merry go round that condones the amassing of wealth at any cost. Being on the receiving end of constant disrespect, profiteering and endless jackhammering tends to sways ones' view of those who chase the dollar.

Especially when they could care less, the point of my post. The woman was at pains to stress that he was decent. Do decent people ignore the concerns of others, or worse still brush them off with offense?

I am however, neither poor nor rich, but am employed, working and supporitng a family.

I have been able to do this without taking more than I need, using up excessive resources (an important point) or most importantly stepping on others as if they're not there.

So, I'm afraid the old rich v poor nag has flown.
Posted by LilMissSunshine from local
on 21 May, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why is that the public think they can suddenly play the "Higher Power" and decide on a proper timeline for one to finish a structure?

SO, if the guy down the road has begun building a carport and it doesnt get done in the timframe someone else thinks is appropriate... is that wrong?

Last night the news station reported some guy thought a trust fund should be in place IN CASE this was due to financial issues as to not being completed yet. Hello? Has he heard of RPC? Cavalier Homes (Sunshine Coast)? just to name a few...

And really, the previous comments are correct, first they B***h because they dont want it built, now they B***h because they want it done. If it was me, sell it quick and move to a different street, away from buderim... eh gads... buderim... much too much time on peoples hands if this is really a concern. Now they seem to be concerned about the housekeeper having his baby? All the Brittney addicts should really find something productive to do.
Posted by dubby from Mooloolaba
on 21 May, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well said WWJD, well said.
Posted by moretotell from Maroochydore
on 21 May, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
All this is about in sour grapes. So WWJD what about the rights of all. I will use this example. A 21st party is held in a persons home with very loud music, yes it is these people right to hold a party but is is also the rights of others not to hear the party. So if a rich person wants to build a big house and stay within the laws it is right, just like his neighbours to build a big house. These people need to get a box of kleenx and dry their eyes.
Posted by W_W_J_D from Coolum Beach
on 21 May, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Does anyone really believe that your legal rights are your only point of consideration in your life as a human being?
Posted by soothsayer from Kawana
on 21 May, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Just goes to show that people cant mind there own business. How dare anybody dictate what they can or cant build on there own land.......truly pathetic.

Considering the amount of money this guy has spent investing in the coast, and employing people, he should be treated alot better.............as for the bussy bodies go and get a life.
Posted by Jordanlund from Caloundra
on 23 May, 2008 at 12:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Spot on soothsayer from kawana> If you can afford to purchase land these days your doing very well and if you can build a mansion on them he has been doing something right. If it is all legal then leave him alone. Stop crying about it and dry your eyes especially WWJD
Posted by W_W_J_D from Coolum Beach
on 23 May, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm not crying. I'm not even particularly upset about it. Clearly the idea that people have a responsibility to each other that goes beyond the simplicity of the legal system is lost on many people. Comprehension, a lost art?
Posted by Jas73 from Caloundra
on 23 May, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I fail to see why you should have to consult your neighbours for their blessing to allow you to build your own home. Providing it complies with council regulations he can build whatever he wants. Sounds like the neighbours are upset because someone has come along with enough money to build out their view. It is an unfortunate fact of life if you live in that situation that there is every chance one day someone will build you out.
Posted by W_W_J_D from Coolum Beach
on 26 May, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Because considering others, to a point, is what people do. Why should you consider others? Perhaps that's a question you should be asking yourself.

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