Brewed Brewery Paradise Point closes for revamp, owner Daniel Robert Klaus ordered to pay huge sum to customers of Viking Caravans
A popular Gold Coast bar and restaurant owned by a controversial caravan dealer will serve its last drinks on Sunday ahead of a major revamp.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A POPULAR brew-pub owned by controversial caravan dealer Daniel Klaus will serve its last drinks on Sunday.
Brewed Brewery at Salacia Waters in Paradise Point, which has operated for two and a half years, will shut for the final time at 6pm ahead of a major refurbishment.
The venue is expected to be closed for a number of weeks while it is transformed into the Hooch Pooch Taphouse and Eatery.
The renovations will include the addition of wooden shutters to the outdoor dining area and a remodelling of the bar.
Owner Daniel Klaus was earlier this month ordered to pay $460,000 in fines and compensation to customers of his caravan company.
The order came after the 34-year-old pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to 16 charges including failing to supply caravans to customers of Viking Caravans and Campers Ltd and trading without a motor dealer licence.
The charges were laid following an investigation by the Office Of Fair Trading.
BAR OWNER FACING EYE-WATERING PAYOUT OVER CARAVANS
THE owner of a popular Paradise Point brew-pub has been ordered to pay more than $460,000 in fines and compensation to customers of his caravan company.
Brewed Brewery Taphouse and Grill owner Daniel Robert Klaus, 34, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court last week to 16 charges including failing to supply caravans to customers of Viking Caravans and Campers Ltd and trading without a motor dealer licence.
The charges were laid following an investigation by the Office Of Fair Trading.
Mr Klaus, who was sole director of Runaway Bay-based Viking Caravans, was fined $20,000 and his company fined an additional $20,000.
He was also ordered to pay $417,800 in compensation to consumers as well as more than $3,000 in court fees.
The court heard that between 2018 and July 2020 Mr Klaus, who is originally from Geelong, received deposits from five customers for the building of new caravans and also arranged to sell used caravans for two others on consignment.
Mr Klaus advised consumers of delivery dates for their new caravans but several months after those dates, they had not received them, it was alleged.
Customers who contacted him about the delay were told by Mr Klaus that he had ended his relationship with the caravan manufacturer. They were offered refunds or the opportunity to build a new caravan with another brand. However, after months of waiting no refunds were forthcoming.
One person who had left their caravan with Mr Klaus to sell on their behalf was not told about its sale nor how much it had sold for. He sold another customer’s caravan for $130,000, but after months of chasing Mr Klaus for their money, they only ever received a small portion of what they were owed.
Another affected consumer received a defective caravan. After months of negotiating Mr Klaus said he would provide a replacement, but it was never delivered.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the successful prosecution of Klaus and Viking Caravans was a reminder to businesses that they would be held accountable if they “ripped off” consumers.
“Queensland consumers should be confident that they get the product they pay for,” Minister Fentiman said.
Klaus appears to have had more success with his Brewed Brewery venture, of which he is also the sole director. The bar and grill, which is located in the upmarket Salacia Waters area of Paradise Point, has won acclaim for local diners.
He is also director of Klaus Investments Pty Ltd, which lists its address as a rented 5-bedroom mansion on Sovereign Islands.
Pictures on his social media accounts show Klaus living at the address, which was listed for lease in April 2015 at a cost of $1650 a week.
Agents said the property offered “every luxury appointment you can imagine, including four presidential sized bedrooms with ensuites and walk-in robes.”
More Coverage
Golly Gosh: Top cop ‘unavailable’ amid election dressing down
The police commissioner refuses to respond to heavy criticism of an internal directive adding journalists “incompatible with QPS values” to a declarable association policy including criminals.
Hidden life of police dog feared by crims
To the many offenders he chased down on the Gold Coast, he was imposing and fierce. But behind the scenes, there was a very different side to Police Dog Bravo.