‘We’re on tenterhooks’: Dockside marina eviction appeal rejected by Government

Floating businesses at one of Brisbane’s biggest marinas have the threat of eviction hanging over their heads once again after an appeal against their eviction was rejected. But there still may be light ahead.

Dockside marina floating businesses are once again staring in the face of eviction after the Department of Resources dismissed an appeal.

Dozens of charter boats, jetski and small boat hire companies, a floating restaurant and other businesses were told in March they had to leave because the Government had decided to enforce the terms of a lease which prevented such activities at the facility.

The operators were then given a reprieve after the February floods damaged part of the Kangaroo Point marina and one boat sank.

But commercial operators recently found out an appeal against the eviction, sought by marina manager Ken Allsop, had been denied.

More than 20 commercial boat operators have been ordered to leave Dockside marina. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Mr Allsop can still take other legal action to block the decision. He declined to comment, however it is believed he will launch another application to operate businesses from Dockside.

A DoR spokesman confirmed that, as part of the appeal process available to lessees, Mr Allsop requested an internal review of the Department’s decision to issue him with a notice requiring him to stop commercial operations at the marina.

“The department has completed the internal review and the lessee has been advised the original decision has been upheld,’’ he said.

“In the meantime, work is under way across government to identify alternative mooring for the businesses operating from the marina.’’

The March eviction notice was delivered after DoR received complaints about alleged noise, rubbish odours and disruption during provisioning of boats and floating restaurants.

“Every day we’re just waiting for a letter or some word. We’re on tenterhooks — it’s not a good way to run a business,’’ Brisvegas charter operator Barrie Coonan said.

“We’re no better off now than we were seven years ago when we got kicked out of North Quay.’’

Mr Coonan said it was encouraging the State Government had recently announced it would give $1.1 million to help with relocation costs.

Sam Brennan and Chris Dougherty from Prawnster are among those potentially facing eviction.

However he said the problem was that there was nowhere else to go.

“The Government is trying. There’s work going on behind the scenes and last week there was a meeting to talk about the possibility of the Hamilton cruise ship terminal operators building a commercial marina,’’ Mr Coonan said.

“But at this stage we don’t know if that would be suitable, because there’s already residential nearby as well and we might get the same complaints all over again.

“There’s also no permanent, outside fingers at the Gateway marina. It’s full.

“The Government is trying to encourage the private sector to build a marina, but they have said if that doesn’t happen they would build one.

“The wheels are moving. It’s just very slow.’’

Emily Milikins, Ellise Logan, Emily Whitehead and Lucy Bain enjoying a GoBoat on the Brisbane River. The business could be facing eviction. Picture: Tara Croser

Wayne Miller, from Aquarius Charters said they had tried to get help from Brisbane City Council as well.

“We’re continuing to try to operate as normal, but these things just drag on and on and on,’’ he said.

“It’s got to come to a head at some stage.’’

DoR has previously said the seabed lease rules for Dockside were clearly set out when the marina opened several decades ago.

The rules allowed private vessels to moor temporarily or permanently, but not commercial vessels.

The Department said it had received complaints from Dockside Apartments residents.

It had tried to work with marina management for months on addressing alleged problems, but in the end had decided to enforce the lease conditions.

In other developments, it is still unclear if Mr Allsop, who also owns Drift Restaurant, will have to foot part or all of the bill to remove it from the Bicentennial Bikeway in Toowong.

It was dumped on the popular bikeway in the February floods.

The removal operation has taken more than a month, but Transport Minister Mark Bailey said it “continued to be a complex operation and the safety of workers on the site is the top priority’’.

“The structure is being removed in seven pieces that can be safely managed by the crane and barge equipment,’’ he said.

“Five of these pieces have already been removed and the remaining two are on track for removal in the coming days.

“Work will continue onsite to remove the remaining piles and any debris under the structure.

“The final cost will be confirmed when the removal operation is fully completed.

“I’m pleased to see the Bicentennial Bikeway has now reopened, making it a much safer trip through the area for those on two wheels.’’