Carrickalinga eyesore at Gold Coast Drive on the Fleurieu Peninsula hits the real estate market

Renovate or detonate - those are the options for a controversial unfinished house on Carrickalinga’s golden mile.

This derelict house at 9 Gold Coast Drive, Carrickalinga, occupies a location with sensational oceanviews and a short walk to the beach.

A beachfront eyesore that has blighted one of South Australia’s most picturesque coastal towns is on the market potentially ending a long-running saga for neighbours.

Expressions of interest are being sought for 9 Gold Coast Drive, Carrickalinga – a partially built foreshore property that has been decaying on the strip where oceanview properties command million-dollar price tags.

Work on the derelict property, registered to a company controlled by embattled businessman and exiled Marina St Vincent operator Stephen Marks, ground to a halt in 2015 after council discovered the building was higher than approved triggering a lengthy court battle.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank took possession of the notorious house in March 2019 – nine days after Yankalilla council voted to forcibly sell the property over a then unpaid $26,000 rates bill.

The bank has repeatedly refused to disclose its intentions for the property citing “privacy” reasons and despite resident’s anger that the property was falling apart.

Elders Real Estate Normanville is marketing the 750 sqm block and unfinished house as a “great opportunity for redevelopment”.

“The current infrastructure can be removed to create a perfect blank canvas for your new dwelling of choice,” the campaign ad says.

“This property provides some of the best views available in South Bay Carrickalinga …”.

The derelict ‘house’ at 9 Gold Coast Drive is on the market.

Stephen Marks admitted in court to making a mistake and building it too high.

The property is among four Gold Coast Drive houses on the market, three being advertised with prices in excess of $1.1m.

The Carrickalinga Ratepayers Association president Kim Baker has welcomed news of a potential sale.

“We understand the new owner is obliged by Yankalilla Council and under a court ruling to lower the height or demolish the existing structure,” he said.

“This is a sensible outcome and in keeping with the general character of the area.”

The council approved a demolition application for the property in March 2020.

The application was lodged by an agent for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.

Council chief executive Nigel Morris said the demolition application, which would lapse in March 2020, would be valid for the new owner.

Expressions of interest for 9 Gold Coast Drive close on December 21.

Mr Marks is currently appealing in the Environment Resources and Development Court against a council refusal to extend his planning application to lower the building to its correct height. The businessman and his companies are at the centre of various court actions involving a missing Lamborghini sports car and a separate case of alleged misappropriation of berth fees at the Marina St Vincent, which was operated by his company New Wave Aerospace.

That company was placed in liquidation in August with debts in excess of $8m, according to a liquidators’ report, which also found the company had been insolvent for at least four years.

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