Miami Motel: Notorious site sells for $2m, what’s happening next

A Gold Coast motel locals claim is the source of regular fights and “people screaming” has been sold for $2m. FULL DETAILS >>>

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FRUSTRATED residents hope the new owner of a Gold Coast motel will “clean” the place up and bring an end to activity that upset neighbours.

The Miami Motel has sold for $2m. The 405sq m block houses 10 privately leased units along Gold Coast Highway. The sale became unconditional this week and is expected to reach settlement by the end of July, according to Brian Goodgame, of Harcourts Coastal.

Amanda Massie, who previously lived near the site and now rents out her property, claims her family were forced to flee their home after living there for only 12 months, tired of “living in fear” after the violent brawls among guests that took place regularly

“It has been cleaned up recently,” she said.

“The new buyer has approached neighbouring properties asking if they would be interested in selling, including my tenants, so he could have some good plans in store.”

The mother-of-two said the final straw came last year when she and her daughters woke to find people hiding in her yard.

“My daughters wouldn’t live there anymore, they just felt unsafe and were woken up in the night constantly by the fighting,” Ms Massie said.

“They jump the fence; hide in my yard during the night. There was a huge fight there not too long ago and a guy was stabbed.”

Queensland Police said it found no evidence of gang activity occurring at the motel.

Resident Bob Coleman said a unit in his complex had been broken into and valuables such as laptops stolen.

“There’s been disturbances, there’s always arguments out on the street, along with the abuse, the screaming and the drug-fuelled rages,” Mr Coleman added.

JULY 27, 2004: Exterior shot of Miami Motel – 30 Riviera Road Miami. Pic Sarah Marshall

“Police are always in and out of the place. We discussed (security measures) with our neighbours at the time and we went to improve lighting and put grills on the windows.”

Mrs Massie said the motel – which is registered as short-term accommodation – housed long-term tenants, as well those placed there by the Department of Housing.

Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens last year wrote to his electorate on the issue after the Bulletin reported the government had placed people with drug and mental health issues in short-term accommodation at motels along the Gold Coast Highway.

“It is important that I let you know that I am totally supportive of the community resolve to remove these troubled tenants from our peaceful residential community,” Mr Stevens wrote last year.

A spokesman for the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy this week refuted those claims: “Motels and other crisis accommodation play a vital role in helping people experiencing homelessness to transition to safe, secure and sustainable homes.

“However, (DCHD) does not have an arrangement in place with Miami Motel and is not using the motel for emergency or long-term accommodation.”

Images supplied to the Bulletin allegedly showed rooms at the lodging had been available to rent long-term at a going rate of $400 a week.

A snippet of an ad reportedly advertising rooms at Miami Motel for long-term tenants.

“It breeds bad behaviour. (As a neighbour) your sleep is just constantly interrupted with fights, people screaming daily,” Ms Massie said.

She said attempts to rectify the issue reportedly fell on deaf ears, with calls to Queensland Police and councillors going unanswered.

Queensland Police said it conducted regular and proactive patrols throughout the area and had found no evidence to suggest gang-related activity was occurring at the motel.

“Officers have met with local residents of the area to discuss the matter on multiple occasions,” a Queensland Police spokeswoman said.

“There has been no significant increase in alleged criminal activity in the area, and there is no information to suggest gang-related criminal activity is occurring.”