Sarina Russo and John Pearce are both objecting to the $2bn plan to remake Eagle Street Pier
Some of Brisbane’s wealthiest business identities have joined a growing chorus of opposition to plans for the $2bn development of Eagle Street Pier and Waterfront Place.
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ARCING UP
Some of Brisbane’s wealthiest and most successful business identities have joined a growing chorus of opposition to plans for the $2.1bn development of Eagle Street Pier and Waterfront Place.
Jobs queen Sarina Russo and former Collection House supremo John Pearce both lodged objections this month with the Brisbane City Council over the ambitious makeover proposed by the owner, property giant Dexus.
Each of them own multimillion-dollar apartments in the neighbouring Riparian Plaza tower, a highly sought-after address which they fear would be diminished by the Dexus scheme to erect two new skyscrapers as part of its masterplan dubbed “Waterfront Brisbane’’.
“As an owner-director of a CBD building opposite, as well as two others within a one kilometre radius of the proposed development, I support development in the name of progress,’’ Russo noted via her lawyer David Ormesher.
“However, the subject plans constitute an overdevelopment of the site relative to the locality’s, positioning, streetscape and needs.’’
She complained that the project has “has excessive scale, bulk and form’’ and is positioned too close to Riparian Plaza.
“If approved, it would ultimately result in a view-blocking wall of buildings along the riverfront, which would greatly detract from the amenity of the riverside.’’
Russo, who shelled out $2.85m in 2007 for a unit in Riparian Plaza, also jointly owns another pad in the tower with her nephew Michael Pennisi, which they acquired for $1.7m in January. Pennisi has lodged an identical objection with the Council.
OVERDEVELOPMENT
Pearce, who snared the coveted Riparian Plaza penthouse for $7.37m in 2005, warned that the Dexus project “seeks to dominate the land parcel and offer a minimum public amenity’’.
“I fear the proposed development overdevelops the site, for the benefits of the developer, rather than blending in with the surrounds for the benefit of current and future Brisbanites,’’ he wrote.
He also flagged concerns about the “tight spacing’’ between buildings, which could lead to “wind tunnelling,’’ a lack of morning light and “a cluttered skyline’’.
A common thread running through these submissions, as well as a number of other objections lodged with the council, are a concern about “overdevelopment’’.
They echo one of the key issues first raised in August by Bloomberg Incorporation, which owns the office space, carparking and common areas in Riparian Plaza.
In his submission to the council, Bloomberg boss Scott Collins attacked the Dexus project as “Sydney-centric’’ and too intense.
A Dexus spin doctor declined to comment on the negative feedback about the project, which was first flagged in early 2018.
But, given how the pandemic has up-ended forecasts about future demand for office space, there are doubts about how and when Dexus will proceed with the two mixed-use towers with 43 and 49 levels.
The company has sought a 12-year and 20-year period respectively in which to start construction, assuming approvals get over the line.
ECO BLESSING
One of the world’s best-known ecowarriors has expressed support for an independent candidate in the state election who is opposed to a planned $1.4 billion bay front project in Brisbane.
Dr Claire Richardson, who is running in the Oodgeroo electorate, recently alerted Sir David Attenborough to Walker Corp’s controversial Toondah Harbour scheme at Cleveland, which has the backing of both the major parties.
Greenies loathe the long-stalled mega residential/marina project because it would be situated on 67ha of mudflats which are a protected area for endangered migratory shore birds. They fear the dredging and reclamation of land would amount to an environmental disaster.
“I am both alarmed and saddened to learn that yet another patch of wilderness is being taken over by humanity. Needless to say, I wish you every success in your campaign,’’ Sir David quickly wrote back to her on Facebook.
Richardson, who runs her own engineering consultancy, nearly defeated incumbent Karen Williams in the Redland City Council mayoral race earlier this year.