Iconic Will the Wrecker’s ordered to clean-up before Commonwealth Games hits town

WILL the Wrecker is at war again with bureaucrats over a compliance order regarding his “unsightly” property which Council claims is “likely breeding or harbouring vermin”, ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

The iconic wrecking yard at Reedy Creek which fronts the Pacific Motorway. Picture Glenn Hampson

WILL the Wrecker is at war with bureaucrats after being told to clean up what’s left of his iconic Gold Coast wrecking yard before the Commonwealth Games.

A council officer issued a breach notice at Will Smith’s Reedy Creek property last month after noting the car wrecks, tyres and growth of weeds and vines.

A compliance notice was sent out a month later requiring Mr Smith to remove about 100 cubic metres of car parts and screen the front of his property.

“The above property is likely breeding or harbouring vermin and is unsightly when viewed from outside the premises,” the compliance notice said.

Will Smith, known as Will the Wrecker, sits in his wrecking yard before most the old vehicles were removed. Picture Glenn Hampson

But a furious Mr Smith has instructed his legal team to tell council he will not be screening the Pink FX Holden poking out of the veranda on his office nor cleaning up any of his remaining car wrecks.

“Brisbane bureaucrats took most of my land for a Commonwealth Games bus park and a railway station that were never built, now council bureaucrats want me to either close it or cover it with a bloody big bag — well it ain’t gonna happen,” Mr Smith said.

The Bulletin understands the Department of Main Roads began a mowing and maintenance program on the M1 this month at Tallebudgera and will move north to Beenleigh before the April sporting event.

Mr Smith, who has just celebrated his 81st birthday, suspects the council crackdown is part of a Games clean-up audit for the city.

Asked why the compliance notice was issued and if it had to do with the Games, a council spokesman replied: “Council officers issued the compliance notice given the state of the property.

“We are more than happy to work with the property owner to assist him in addressing the compliance issues.”

Aerial map showing the wrecking yard fronting the M1.

The Government bought the 4.26ha site fronting the Pacific Highway for $9.15 million in November 2015 because the land was needed for heavy and light trail track extensions.

The deal, which followed a 13-year stand off between Mr Smith and the State Government, required him to get rid of more than 5000 car wrecks but retain the old house fronting the M1 and some of his favourite cars.

“If I have to go to war again I’m up for it,” Mr Smith said.

Lawyers have advised him that the council, if he fails to comply, maintains it has the right to enter the property and take and dispose of the old cars, including the Pink FX.

The old Holden has been a landmark on the Coast for four decades. Mr Smith got it from the Olivia’s Malt Shop in Surfers Paradise, where staff on rollerskates served customers during the early 1980s.

Some of the car bodies cleared before the site was handed to the State Government. Picture Glenn Hampson

“It seems to me that the bureaucrats running the council and the Commonwealth

Games have lost the plot,” he said.

“They’ve said they don’t want Games visitors to be offended by meter maids or girls in bikinis and now they obviously think visitors will be offended by a pink car.

“Maybe they think my business looks like a wreckers yard. Well, I’ve got some

news for them — it is! And that is what it has been for nearly 50 years.

“I had to scrap about 4500 cars because of the State (Government) but I still have a few hundred beauties left and they are my pride and joy. I may be 81 but there is no way the council or anyone else is gonna take my cars.”