A neighbourhood dispute, allegedly over bird feeding, has left one man dead and another facing manslaughter charges in a bizarre tragedy on the Gold Coast.

Police allege that 60-year-old Bradley Ward died after he was knocked to the ground, kicked and hit with a broom handle in an early morning fight with his neighbour at Labrador.

A 48-year-old Biggera Waters man was on Wednesday night charged with one count each of manslaughter and serious assault.

The serious assault charge relates to Bradley Ward's 82-year-old mother Joyce who was allegedly pushed as she tried to intervene in the fight

Mr Ward died in the ­driveway of his Whiting St home about 5.40am over what police said was an "ongoing" feud.

Neighbours said Mr Ward liked to feed wild lorikeets in his yard and police confirmed they were investigating if this was behind the dispute.

"That's one of the theories we are currently investigating," Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said.

"Disputes of this nature can be complex, so we'll look at all avenues at what the background is.

"What we do know is the deceased was leaving his house and the other gentleman was outside his house and they've had some sort of discussion and that's progressed into a dispute and physical altercation.

"One of these gentlemen has retrieved a broom handle, and potentially a broom handle was also used in the assault," Det Insp Ahearn said.

Det Insp Ahearn said a cabbie who was driving past at the time stopped and tried to break up the fight.

Police downloaded security camera footage from the cab, which was believed to have shown the fight.

Neighbours said Mr Ward lived at the property with his elderly mother, his wife and children.

In emotional scenes moments before his body was removed by undertakers, family members hugged and wept on the front lawn.

Mr Ward's neighbour, 48, was made to wear a blue forensic suit and taken into police custody. He was expected to be charged overnight. A neighbour of Mr Ward and the man in police custody said that both were "good people".

"They're both family men - the guy who passed away leaves behind two young primary school children, a wife, mother and brothers - it's very sad," said the man, who did not want to be named.

"And over what? Over a triviality. It just proves the pointlessness and futility of neighbourhood disputes. You can lose everything - not just a car, your house or income, but everything."

A neighbour of Mr Ward and the man in police custody said both were good people.

"They're both family men - the guy who passed away leaves behind two young primary school children, a wife, mother and brothers - it's very sad," said the man, who did not want to be named.

"And over what? Over a triviality. It just proves the pointlessness and futility of neighbourhood disputes.

"You can lose everything - not just a car, your house or income, but everything."