The iconic Kookaburra Queen cruise ship is being turfed out with “nowhere else to go” following the redevelopment of Brisbane’s waterfront precinct.
The state government has served more than 11 businesses with eviction notices, including the sailing restaurant and rooftop bar that will be forced to leave by the end of June.
The eviction notices follow an approval to transform the Eagle Street Pier in the heart of the city for $21bn.
Opposition spokesman for natural resources, mines and energy Pat Weir told 4BC the Brisbane river did not have any commercial facilities for the cruise ship to move too.
Meanwhile, almost a dozen businesses will be evicted from Dockside Marina come March 4 due to a clause on the dock’s lease forbidding commercial businesses to operate there.
Mr Weir said the Dockside Marina businesses feel “demoralised”.
“Everyone I spoke to yesterday are shell shocked – I honestly am struggling to see how it has reached this stage,” he said.
“It seems to be a little bit grey, what the government has deemed ‘commercial’.
“This is what you elect governments to do – is make sure these sorts of things don’t happen, work constructively to some sort of solution.”
Brisvegas Cruises owner Barrie Coonan told news outlets the decision has left businesses in a tough position.
“We’ve got nowhere to go – there’s no commercial facilities on the Brisbane River for boats to live and operate out of,” he said.
“They’ve found this tiny little clause in a lease that was written about 30 years ago that said ‘no commercial activities’.”
Aquarius Charters spokesperson Wayne Miller is calling on the Brisbane City Council and Resources Minister Scott Steward to find a solution in a recent petition.
The petition has at least 90 signatures who support the survival of businesses big and small along the river.
