Ex-bikie to stand trial on Tara Brown murder

Tara Brown died after her ex-boyfriend drove her off the road. Photo / Supplied

Family and friends of murdered mum Tara Brown have faced her accused killer and former partner in a Queensland court.

Lionel John Patea, 24, was committed to stand trial for the murder of the 24-year-old during a brief hearing at the Southport Magistrates Court today.

Patea didn't speak during his appearance as a packed gallery, including Ms Brown's mother, watched on.

Members of Patea's family, including his brother, were also in the courtroom.

The ex-Bandidos bikie is accused of running Ms Brown's car off the road on a suburban Gold Coast street on September 8 and then bludgeoning her to death with a fire hydrant cover while she was trapped in her overturned vehicle.

The partner of Ms Brown's mother, Jonathan Gardner, said outside court it had been "tough" to be in the same room as Patea.

"It's something you can't prepare for I think but you've got to do it," Mr Gardner said.

Earlier, about 30 people laid roses at the courthouse entrance in a show of support for Ms Brown.

The group also used the occasion to speak out against domestic violence.

Ms Brown's boss, Jason Hall, said the past two months had been "devastating" for those who knew her but it was important to keep her memory alive.

"We're here just for Tara today," Mr Hall said.

New Zealand-born Tara brown was living on the Gold Coast. Photo / Supplied

"We've got a situation where there's been so many domestic violence incidents now over this last period that it's got to change.

"We can't do this again."

Patea is also facing a murder charge on an unrelated matter.

He is accused of killing missing father-of-two Greg Dufty along with New Zealand man Aaron John Crawford.

Mr Dufty, 37, hasn't been seen since he went missing on the Gold Coast in June.

Crawford, 27, and Patea's matters in regards to Mr Dufty have been adjourned until January 28.

A date for Patea's trial is yet to be set.

- AAP