Eagle Street Pier owner Dexus is considering an overwater addition to its proposed $1.4 billion redevelopment

The owner of Brisbane’s Eagle Street Pier has come up with another controversial idea after the Brisbane City Council vetoed part of its original redevelopment plans.

The owner of Eagle Street Pier is planning a $1.4 billion redevelopment of the site. Picture AAP/David Clark

OVER WATER

The owners of Eagle Street Pier are considering an overwater addition to their proposed $1.4 billion makeover of the iconic Brisbane drinking and dining hub.

Yes, property giant Dexus has come up with the controversial idea after the Brisbane City Council knocked back their plans to close off a section of Eagle Street as part of the redevelopment scheme, which envisions two new towers on the 1.5 ha site.

Talks are ongoing between the company, council and Queensland Government but no one wanted to divulge much of anything yesterday when City Beat sought a bit more information about what would surely be a costly and difficult change to the scope of works.

“We will not be commenting on the details while the proposal is still under consideration by the State Government,’’ a Dexus spin doctor told us.

Jade Buddha co-owner Phil Hogan. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

The Howard Smith Wharves already has a bar built over the river and the Queen’s Wharf project will incorporate an overwater element, as well.

But that didn’t stop one Eagle Street Pier trader from slamming the spectre of something similar near his venue as “appalling.’’

Another bar operator, Phil Hogan, co-owner of Jade Buddha, said there was a strong case to be made that the area should be kept intact because of its historical significance for the city.

“I’m probably biased but personally I think that the domes are an iconic and charming example of unique Brisbane architecture which exemplify a significant period in our river city’s history from World Expo days and should be preserved for future generations to also enjoy,’’ Hogan said.

“Imagine if anyone suggested pulling down the sails at Marina Mirage!’’

NEW JOB

Wealthy Queensland mining player Richard Cottee has taken on a new job as executive chairman of loss-making resources outfit State Gas.

The Brisbane-based minnow announced the appointment yesterday as it also revealed the completion of a $4.9 million capital raising to help it continue development of the Reid’s Dome gas project in the Bowen Basin.

State Gas executive chairman Richard Cottee. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Cottee comes to the job following his departure as boss of Central Petroleum in August last year after a bit of a dust up with the board.

He’ll be earning a mere $100,000 a year but receive up to 5 million performance rights set to convert to shares based on a series of performance hurdles.

Not that Cottee, who has spent 40 years in the industry, needs the dough. He made a fortune in 2008 when he sold Queensland Gas Company to the BG Group for $5.7 billion.

Perhaps Cottee merely wants a challenge and he’ll definitely have that at State Gas, which just suffered a $1 million net loss in the December half and $702,030 of red ink in the last financial year.

At least he’ll be able to hang out with his good mate Tony Bellas, a fellow State Gas director who has known and worked with him for nearly 20 years.

WRONGDOING ALLEGED

Disgruntled dentists unhappy with the results of last month’s board spill at Gold Coast dental group Smiles Inclusive lodged a complaint with Queensland Police yesterday over alleged wrongdoing.

The company denies anything was amiss but has offered to appoint an independent share registry to review the voting.

RESTORING FAITH

Your diarist’s faith in the next generation was restored Sunday night as he watched jazz legend Herbie Hancock and his trio of ace sidekicks deliver a jaw-dropping performance at QPAC.

Herbie Hancock was in Brisbane on Sunday night.

Sitting in front of us, leaning forward and listening intently to the mesmerising two-hour set, were aspiring young musicians gobsmacked at being in the presence of greatness.

And why wouldn’t they be? After all, Hancock’s nearly 60-year career has seen him play a Mozart piano concerto at age 11, spend five years alongside the late great Miles Davis in the 1960s and earn an astonishing 14 Grammys.