Gold Coast locals lament demise of ‘Trashmore Plaza’ as pressure mounts for owners

The calls follow complaints from shopping centre retailers who say they, and their customers, are constantly harassed and verbally abused.

LOCALS say Ashmore Plaza is in “desperate need of a facelift” as pressure mounts on its owners to “clean up” the complex and provide retailers with security.

The calls follow complaints from shopping centre retailers who say they and their customers are constantly harassed and verbally abused by residents from nearby Cotlew Manor, a supported accommodation facility for people with mental, intellectual and physical disabilities.

Ashmore resident Nikki Jarrett said “drastic action” was needed.

“There’s one particular lady who lies down behind your car and demands money. I live right near this shopping centre and won’t go there even though it would be more convenient than travelling elsewhere.

Locals have dubbed Ashmore Plaza Shopping Centre “Trashmore” saying it has fallen into disrepair and they now shop elsewhere. Picture: Jerad Williams

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“We have had a few encounters with the people who hang around there and I prefer to go to Coles at Benowa or Southport Park. That shopping centre has now coined the name Trashmore Plaza in our family.

“It’s sad because it’s our suburb and the people who work there are very nice but it’s not nice being accosted by people when you’re trying to get out of your car.”

Another local, who did want to be named, said: “Ashmore Plaza is in desperate need of a facelift. The general facade and maintenance of the building will continue to attract undesirable types and deter locals from shopping here particularly when only a short distance away we have centres that are more attractive and much cleaner.

Simone Schofield from Ashmore Plaza Hair Design is sick of her customers being harassed by people hanging around the complex asking for money for buy. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Nothing has changed inside or out in a very long time. It’s unfair to the many small businesses who do their very best to provide good service – we want to support local people but something needs to be done to clean up all aspects of Ashmore.”

Ink Citi Qld manager Jarad Farrow said: “There’s one person who’s particularly boisterous and paranoid. The Government is watching him.”

“At this point we fend for ourselves, except when there was panic buying because of COVID-19 and Woolworths had a security guard. They did assist us move people along.”

Cotlew Manor owner Lee Tsiboukas said he had no legal rights to stop his residents from leaving and that the facility was “not a prison and nor should it be”.

Cotlew Manor manager Lee Tsiboukas says is unable to stop residents from visiting local shopping centres and that they aren’t asking for money because they are hungry because they are served 6 meals a day. Pic Tim Marsden

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“We make sure they have clean accommodation, healthy meals, and take their medicine but we have no legal rights to make them stay These people have human rights.”

Mr Tsiboukas also denied an anonymous allegation sent to the Bulletin that “residents do not get enough to eat that’s why they need to beg for money” and that “Cotlew Manor took most of the pension of residents”.

“My residents get six meals a day. This includes breakfast, that they can help themselves to, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. For lunch and dinner they can come back as much as they want,” he said. “We make more food than we need to make sure everyone is well fed.

Cotlew Manor manager Lee Tsiboukas says his residents are well fed. Pic Tim Marsden

“We provide the following; accommodation, all utilities, internet, computer room, games room, six meals a day, medication management, room cleaning, laundry of linen and clothing for $67 per day. After our fortnightly rent is taken out our residents are left with roughly $150. You cannot even find a motel at $67 much less everything that’s listed.”

The body corporate committee did not reply to a request for comment.