Uncertain future ahead for Brisbane river floating business

An iconic Brisbane River business has left its longterm CBD home for an uncertain future, with some customers chasing refunds in the wake of floods, eviction and an insurance battle.

The iconic Kookaburra River Queens have left their longtime CBD home as the business struggles against eviction, floods and a battle with their insurer over a 2019 collision.

Some customers have taken to the business’ website to complain they had not received refunds for bookings, including one woman who had to reorganise her wedding plans after a cruise did not go ahead.

The Kookaburra owner was contacted for comment, but said on their website that customers who had paid booking fees would be offered credits for any future cruises.

The business was one of a dozen issued with eviction notices early this year by Eagle Street Pier owner, property giant Dexus Funds Management.

Kookaburra Queen on the Brisbane River.

Kookaburra’s two paddle-wheelers, at one time so iconic they were used in marketing for the city, were moved from the site about a fortnight ago.

Dexus planned to build twin $2.1 billion highrises on the riverfront site.

But global investment firm Bloomberg, owner of the adjacent Riparian luxury unit tower, has taken legal action claiming the Dexus project was “oversized’’ and too close.

Dexus told the existing bars, restaurants and other tenants, including Kookaburra, they had to vacate by July 27.

Eagle Street Pier, which was closed for weeks after February’s flood, was home to many of Brisbane’s top venues including George’s Paragon, Mr & Mrs G’s Riverbar, Coppa Spuntino, Fat Cow Steak and Lobster, Naga Thai and The Bavarian.

Jade Buddha nightclub, which is on a different form of lease, has vowed to stay.

Tom Ahn (venue manager at Rico), Kadu Imbroisi (Head Chef at Fat Cow) and Katelyn Armitt (Supervisor at Naga Thai). Their businesses were issued with eviction notices ahead of a Dexus redevelopment. Picture: Lachie Millard

One unhappy customer, Sarah, said she had to hurriedly make new arrangements for her wedding after being told a cruise she booked would not be going ahead.

“We invested money for our wedding that was booked with them (Kookaburra) in April,’’ she wrote on the company website.

“Unfortunately they think they won’t be refunding us, which was mentioned when they cancelled on us.’’

She later commented on the website: “Nine weeks since our wedding day, about 12-13 weeks since they cancelled on us, and still no contact, no refund.

“It’s very disappointing ... especially when we had our wedding booked and cancelled a month out, with no refund.’’

Kookaburra has also been locked in a battle with its insurer after a September, 2019 incident in which one of the paddle-wheelers struck an unknown object downstream from the Story Bridge.

The collision caused the floor of the middle deck to buckle, with a person on the middle deck falling 2m on to the lap of a passenger in the toilet below, police said at the time.

The boat returned safely to Eagle Street Pier, where three passengers were taken to the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital with minor injuries.