Sovereign Islands neighbours in bitter court battle over five storey mansion

The sound of an air raid siren blasting from a house at Sovereign Islands saw police called to the luxury enclave amid an ongoing court case about a $13 million mega mansion.

The cashed-up burghers of salubrious Sovereign Islands are at war over their mega mansions and the hostilities are set to get worse.

In one corner is financial planner Melinda Patterson and her ex husband Robert, whose belief in bigger is better has run up against opposition from not only local residents but the Gold Coast City Council.

Ms Patterson’s four-storey $13 million mansion at 37 Knightsbridge Pde West has been the subject of a council-imposed stop work order since January 2020 after residents claimed it breached height restrictions.

The case is set to be fought out in the Queensland Planning and Environment Court this year with residents claiming it towers uncomfortably over their own homes.

Ms Patterson denies the home breaches town planning rules and does not impact negatively on the amenity of the area in any way.

Two doors down from number 37, Mr Patterson is the owner of number 33 Knightsbridge Pde West, which was the couple’s home before they divorced.

Mr Patterson tells your diarist he has plans to put another storey on top of his already spacious pad to take advantage of the ocean views.

Mr Patterson said the dispute over his ex-wife’s new home appeared to be motivated by envy and some people just didn’t like the idea of someone having a bigger home than them. “Sovereign Islands is full of mega homes,” he told City Beat. “This place is amongst the most valuable in the state.”

Adding to the warlike feeling in the millionaire’s enclave, where homes can sell for a much as $45 million, have been claims of air raid sirens disturbing the peace.

According to a complaint made by a resident to the Gold Coast City Council, the siren was allegedly directed from 33 Knightsbridge Pde West towards his house on January 13, 2020, reaching 75 decibels, which is equivalent to a vacuum cleaner at close range.

37 Knightsbridge Parade West under construction at Sovereign Islands.

Both Ms Patterson, who was not living at the address at the time, and Mr Patterson have denied any knowledge of the noise complaint. “How could I even get an air raid siren?” Mr Patterson told your diarist. A Queensland police spokesperson confirmed officers attended the address following a complaint and spoke to the occupants, but no further action was taken.

Ms Patterson told the Gold Coast Bulletin back in 2019 that the couple was selling 33 Knightsbridge Pde West to build their dream home at 37 Knightsbridge Pde West.

But property records show that in November that year Ms Patterson sold the home to her husband for $5.7 million after their marriage broke down.

Watch this space.

FALLING LEAF

A Brisbane construction company, whose projects included shifting a World War I German tank into a new display at the Queensland Museum, owes creditors more than $1.3 million.

Nick Combis, of Vincents, was appointed voluntary administrator of Leaf Building Group last month after its building licence was cancelled by the construction watchdog.

Combis in a report lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission

(ASIC) said the company owes approximately $1.32 million to creditors including the Australian Taxation Office, various suppliers and subcontractors.

German Tank Mephisto at the Queensland Museum.

The six-year-old company had specialised in shop fitouts for major retail brands including Woolworths and Aldi as well as sporting and cultural facilities.

Its most high-profile project was moving the last remaining World War I German tank, better known as ‘Mephisto’, into a new display space at the Queensland Museum in 2018.

Combis said plant and equipment owned by the firm has been removed and are being held by an auctioneer for sale.

He also said he will now investigate the reasons for the company’s failure.

PLUM-ING

The mango may lay claim to being the king of fruit, but there is a new queen in the fresh produce section these days.

The Queensland-developed Queen Garnet Plum is having a record season as trees planted about five years ago reach maturity.

The plum variety, which is owned by the Queensland Government but licensed to local firm Nutrafruit, is now grown across Queensland, Victoria, NSW and Western Australia. Nutrafruit chief executive Luke Couch said about 40 per cent of the plums are now being exported, with China emerging as a key market.

Queen Garnet plums.

“The Chinese love the flavour and it has really taken off over there,” Couch said.

The fruit, which is noticeable for its rich-red flesh, is also being marketed for its antioxidant value.

Nutrafruit produces a line of Queen Garnet juices and powders during the year.

Mr Couch said production of the fruit, which is in season in February and March, is set to increase next season before levelling off.

He said the price has come down from about $15-16 a kilogram to under $10, bringing it within reach of more consumers.