Public servant’s $80m high-rise inner city tower plan
The family of a senior Queensland public servant is behind a plan to develop an $80m high rise in Kangaroo Point.
City Beat
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A senior executive at Queensland investment giant QIC has an expensive side hustle - a $80m high rise development at Kangaroo Point.
George Katsanevas, who is a fund manager with the government-owned investment flagship, has lodged a development application through his family firm Alphaprop for a 15-storey riverfront apartment building at 44 O’Connell Street.
We hear the project, which will feature 14 apartments, is not entirely welcome by some local residents who last year opposed a similar 15-storey project by the Pikos Group in nearby Lambert St. That project was rejected by the Brisbane City Council before being given the greenlight following an appeal to the Planning and Environment Court.
Brisbane City Council rejected its application to increase the heights of the towers from 10 storeys to 15 storeys because they did not meet with community wishes. That development also sparked a street blockade and a protest in council chambers.
The Katsanevas property is a battle-axe shaped block, which according to some observers could make it difficult to develop.
According to the plans lodged with the council, access to the site is via a shared driveway which will require traffic signals to allow residents to come and go.
According to architect Joe Adsett, one of the designers of the project, the development has the support of most of the neighbours because it only included 14 units. The new building will replace an ageing residential tower built in the 1960s.
The development is code assessable under the Brisbane City Council’s plan, meaning that in theory it could be assessed relatively quickly and does not require public notification. But it’s likely given the complexity of the project, the BCC will require further information.
Katsanevas did not respond to a request for comment. City Beat stresses that Katsanevas’ activities do not involve nor impact QIC and its investments on behalf of clients in any way and we are not accusing him of any wrongdoing. We hear the QIC has a framework to manage conflicts and the matter was declared and approved in alignment with that framework.
CRUISING WIN
Congratulations to Rodney Longhurst and the crew at boat builder Riviera who picked up a gong at the 59th Australian Export Awards this week.
Gold Coast-based Riviera tied with Victorian-based precision parts maker AW Bell to become joint winners of the manufacturing and advanced materials award at the event.
Longhurst says the company, which employs more than 900 people, is now exporting more than 60 per cent of its boats.
“It’s a big world, and it is a challenge, but we’re a tough Aussie battler having a go,” Longhurst says.”Our luxury boats are among the best in the world, standing proudly next to European and American models.”
The annual Australian Export Awards are presented by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), in collaboration with the states and territories.
CHARMING CHALMERS
Kudos to mining veteran Greg Chalmers, who was awarded life membership of the Queensland Resources Council this week. Old timers will recall that more than 30 years the late Ken Talbot, Sam Chong and Jimmy Gorman developed one of the state’s great resource projects at Jellinbah in central Queensland.
Chalmers today is chief executive of Jellinbah Group, a privately owned independent coal company with mines in the Bowen Basin.
Chalmers picked up his award at this week’s Queensland Resources Council annual lunch where he praised his wife Jacinta for her support during his long career.
QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane told more than 850 guests at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre lunch that the resources industry had a leading role to play in the state’s transition to a low emission economy. “Climate change is a critical global challenge which must be addressed by all parts of society, and the resources industry is absolutely committed to being part of the global solution,” says Macfarlane.
PULLING NO PUNCHES
Brisbane charity founder John Godwin is coming to the end of a gruelling fitness test this week. The aim is to raise $27,000 for the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation, which provides access to education and opportunities for children.
Godwin has been putting his body on the line since Monday in a boxing challenge at the Coorparoo Boxing Gym due to finish on Saturday.
Over the six days, Godwin will have thrown more than 70,000 punches, performed 2,000 crunches and 600 push-ups, 20km of running and 20km of cycling.
A host of local celebrities and politicians also will participate in the event, including Shark Tank celebrity Glen Richards, Wallaby legends Andrew Slack, Ben Mowen and Toutai Kefu and former Miss Universe Australia Kimberley Busteed.
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