The Scoop: Insiders reveal design issues at Queen’s Wharf

The $3.6bn Queen’s Wharf development has been slammed by some of those working inside, with a series of complaints about everything from the lack of lift access, to long waits for customers and staff and overall bad design. THIS IS THE SCOOP

Generic - File - Queens Wharf Brisbane, Star Casino. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The $3.6bn Queen’s Wharf development has been labelled a “bag of sh-t” by those working within it, with complaints about everything from the lack of lift access to overall bad design.

One chef, who didn’t want to be named, told Sunday Scoop that accessing the cold rooms and cellars in the basement of the building took an “outrageous” 45 minutes on a busy night with staff only able to use one elevator, which was also shared by hotel workers for the likes of room service.

He said it was unacceptable, as it meant customers were waiting a ridiculous length of time for their drinks or food.

Another building occupier, who preferred to remain anonymous, complained about the overall poor design of the complex, with signs that did not match their destination.

There were also complaints about the lack of access to the Sky Deck, with visitors having to queue in lines up to 50 metres to both reach and leave the 250m viewing level, which offers a vista over the city.

One insider described the building as “a bag of sh-t”, and said it needed to be completely redesigned if it was going to meet the needs of the local market.

A spokesperson from The Star said the new Sky Deck had already proven to be a popular addition to Brisbane’s tourism landscape.

“Like other iconic rooftop bars in world class cities, high demand attracts wait times with the reward being those fantastic views from the CBD to Moreton Bay and a selection of exceptional sky-high dining experiences,” the spokesperson said.

“With December being the first holiday season The Star Brisbane has been open, our hard working team continues to refine our operations and pleasingly we have been receiving consistently positive feedback from our guests.”

CRIME REPORTER STEPS AWAY FROM ROLE

Seven Network’s crime reporter Jordan Bissell has revealed she is stepping away from journalism following a “tough battle” with anxiety and depression.

Posting on LinkedIn on Saturday morning, Ms Bissell confirmed she would finish up with the Seven Network on January 18 and “take up a new challenge in corporate PR”.

“After ten years, I’ve made the tough decision to take a step back from reporting (though you might still see me on weekend @sunriseon7!) and take up a new challenge in the corporate PR world,” she wrote on LinkedIn.

Crime reporter Jordan Bissell.

“All I ever wanted was to make my mum and dad proud, but eventually the dream job you chose at five years old might start to look different from the reality you find yourself in at 31.

“Close friends will know I’ve never hidden from them the mental toll the industry can take.

“In recent years, I’ve fought a tough battle with anxiety and depression - often exacerbated by what reporters find themselves exposed to.

“From verbal and physical abuse, threats, exposure to crime scenes and the worst details of the most horrific crimes imaginable - it can be a tough gig.

“All my mates in the industry, please keep being kind to yourselves and kind to each other.”

Ms Bissell’s departure comes just months after the shock resignation of Seven Network’s Queensland news director Michael Coombes along with the high-profile departures of respected weatherman Paul Burt and veteran presenter Sharyn Ghidella, who was unceremoniously dumped after 17 years at the network.

‘HARDEST THING WE’VE EVER DONE’

Brissy pop icon Amy Sheppard and husband Lachlan Stuart have taken to social media to share their heartbreaking fertility struggle.

In a message to her nearly 90,000 Instagram followers, Sheppard said opening up about this part of her life was the “hardest thing they’d ever done”.

She captioned a video reel of the couple undergoing various medical procedures with “Life is more than a highlight reel”.

“Infertility isn’t something you prepare for - it’s a silent ache for a dream that feels just out of reach,” Sheppard said.

Amy Sheppard and husband Lachlan Stuart. Photo: Instagram

“We may never know why falling pregnant hasn’t been easy for us, but we’ve come to learn we’re part of the 1 in 6 couples walking this difficult road.

“The shame, the judgment, the endless questions - it’s a weight so many carry in silence. That’s why we’ve chosen to share, to remind others that grief, hope, and heartbreak are all part of this story, and no one should face it alone.”

Sheppard asked her fans to approach others with kindness and to think before asking when someone is having kids or offering unsolicited advice.

“You never know the silent battle they’re fighting. Right now, what we need most is compassion, understanding and a little cheering up,” she said.

The couple thanked their fans and friends for wrapping them with love and supportive messages.

“Please know we’ve read and deeply felt every single one,” Sheppard said.

TIK-TOK STAR FACES STICKY MOMENT

Tik-Tok sensation Anna Paul has shared a hilariously gross Christmas mishap with her 7.2 million followers.

Paul, speaking alongside her ex-partner Glen, was telling fans about a pink Sphynx cat she had bought for Glen’s sister, before realising she had wiped cat poo on her face.

Tik-Tok sensation shared her gross Christmas mishap after wiping cat poop on her face. Photo: Tik-Tok

The funny moment also caused a stir among fans, with many hoping the video meant the high school sweethearts had rekindled their relationship, particularly as they boasted of a joint family Christmas.

Paul said Glen’s sister had always wanted a Sphynx cat after babysitting hers and while

explaining her plans to surprise her friend with the cat, Paul realised she had wiped cat poop on her face.

“Oh my god, did I just wipe s--t on my face?”, she said while covering her mouth in shock and gagging.

“You know what, that’s what it’s like to have a baby ... It’s OK.”

Paul then proceeded to hide the cat in a colourful picnic basket and surprised her very emotional friend - once she had cleaned herself up.

ANACONDA SCOUTS ON LOOKOUT FOR GC HOMES

Gold Coasters are being tapped to open up their homes as a location for the remake of Anaconda, starring Paul Rudd and Jack Black.

Sony Pictures is reprising the 1997 cult classic which starred Jennifer Lopez, Jon Voight, Owen Wilson and Ice Cube, with pre-production already under way on the Glitter Strip.

Letters have gone out to some homeowners from the film’s location manager scouting for “an American style house interior for a US feature film currently in pre-production in South East Queensland”.

“Written and directed by Tom Gormican (who also directed The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent starring Nicholas Cage), this current film is set in suburbia (sic) Buffalo New York,” the letter reads.

“This action comedy is focused on a group of friends who are facing midlife crises and set off to remake their favourite movie from their youth.

“The house interior we are seeking includes an older style lounge room and kitchen with US-style timber framed windows and a fireplace.”

The letter says the house would be needed for filming for three days from January 6.

Anaconda, which was lured to the sunshine state with Screen Queensland incentives, is expected to pump $40m into the local economy and create more than 300 jobs.

DJ FISHER UNVEILS NEW LOOK

Gold Coast-based international DJ Paul ‘The Fish’ Fisher has unveiled a shock new look to his 2.1m Instagram followers.

DJ Fisher showed off his new surprise hair.

Back home on the southern Goldy for Christmas after a hectic northern hemisphere party season performing in Europe and the US, the normally shaven-headed Fisher posted a reel of himself parading on the beach with a mop of dark hair.

“HAIRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!,” he posted with laughing emojis.

“BEEN KEEPING THIS ONE UNDER HATS”.

“Ah nothing like sand in my toes and wind in my hair baby,” he added with his trademark crazed cackle as the camera panned from his red boardshorts to his new hirsute ‘do”.

Many followers joked that Fisher must have made a recent visit to hair transplant capital Turkey, while others said they always suspected he was hiding something under his Prada bucket hat.

Originally published as The Scoop: Insiders reveal design issues at Queen’s Wharf