The 25-year-old’s body was found at the base of Point Cartwright cliffs in Mooloolaba on the morning of July 18, 1997.
Police confirmed in 2023 they were approaching all original witnesses.
Queensland detectives had travelled to Victoria to speak to Lees in late June that year but were unable to find him.
His car was found the following day and on June 27, he was seen at a Waurn Ponds shopping centre and then leaving a Shepparton train station.
Following his arrest, Lees was brought to Hornsby Police Station, where he faced multiple charges. These included assaulting a police officer in the line of duty without causing serious injury, as well as offenses related to dealing with identity information to commit a crime.
Police will also allege Lees tried to bite an officer while he was in custody.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.
NSW Police said it was understood the Queensland Police Service will apply for his extradition.
Rose had left her tight-knit family behind in Victoria to move to Queensland for a romance with then-44-year-old Lees.
Rose’s sister Fiona Ratcliffe previously appealed to the public for information into her sister’s death.
“My sister Meaghan was a fun-loving, bright, young woman,” Ratcliffe said.
“Meaghan and I shared many memories over the years, including her teaching myself to drive.”
