A contentious dispute has emerged in Brisbane's affluent New Farm suburb, known as 'Millionaire's Row,' over a proposed 16-meter pontoon for a $5.9 million riverside mansion. The development, spearheaded by company representing developer Cameron Massie, aims to accommodate his 20-meter boat on the Brisbane River, despite the proximity of a ferry terminal.
The proposal, initially for a 19.35-meter pontoon, was scaled back to 16 meters before being submitted to the State Assessment and Referral Agency. However, a neighbor, real estate agent Theresa Fitzgerald, has lodged an objection, citing concerns that the larger structure would impede her own use of her existing 9.6-meter pontoon, approved by the Brisbane City Council in 2008.
New Farm's 'Millionaire's Row' is characterized by waterside properties with a median house price of $3.5 million. Fitzgerald, whose property boasts more river frontage than Massie's, argued that the proposed pontoon's scale was disproportionate to the site's size and frontage. "The subject site has river frontage that is 1.3m less than my property, yet proposes a pontoon that is approximately 9.75m longer," Fitzgerald wrote to the council. "This represents a structure that is effectively double the scale that would be reasonably expected for a site of this size and frontage."
In defense of the larger pontoon, an assessment report by Project Urban stated that the size was necessary to safely moor Massie's vessel, particularly given the significant wave action generated by ferries. "This sized vessel will require the longer length pontoon to ensure mooring lines are able to hold the vessel in place to withstand the effects of the ferry action," the report indicated. "Given the proximity of the location to the ferry terminal, wave action from the approaching and departing ferry is significant and frequent."
The report also noted that the proposed pontoon and vessel would be situated within the navigation corridor. Meanwhile, another nearby property on 'Millionaire's Row' features a pontoon measuring 21.05 meters, significantly longer than Massie's revised proposal. This property is owned by socialite Brooke George and her husband, developer Patrick George, who have resided there for nine years and renovated their home in 2021.
The State Assessment and Referral Agency granted approval for Massie's proposal on August 27, shifting the final decision-making authority to the Brisbane City Council. Neither Cameron Massie nor Theresa Fitzgerald provided comment at the time of publication.