High society feud erupts in Brisbane’s ‘Millionaire’s Row’ over 16m pontoon outside luxury $5.9m mansion
A row has broken out in Brisbane's exclusive New Farm neighbourhood, dubbed "Millionaire's Row", after developer Cameron Massie sought approval to build a large pontoon outside his $5.9 million riverside home. His neighbour, real estate agent Theresa Fitzgerald, has objected, arguing the structure is disproportionately large for the site and could limit her own use of the river. The dispute highlights tensions among wealthy waterside property owners along the Brisbane River, where the median house price is around $3.5 million.
Mr Massie's company initially applied for a 19.35m pontoon to moor his 20m boat, citing wave action from a nearby ferry terminal as the reason for needing a longer structure, before scaling the plan back to 16m. Ms Fitzgerald, whose own 9.6m pontoon was approved in 2008, says her property has greater river frontage than Mr Massie's yet his proposed pontoon would be roughly 9.75m longer than hers. Another nearby property, owned by socialite Brooke George and her developer husband Patrick George, has an even larger 21.05m pontoon. The State Assessment and Referral Agency approved Mr Massie's revised plan on 27 August, leaving Brisbane City Council to make the final decision on the development application.
In short
- Brisbane neighbours clash over developer's plan for large riverside pontoon
- Real estate agent says pontoon is disproportionately big for the site
- State agency approved it; Brisbane City Council will decide final outcome
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A longer pontoon could let Massie moor his 20m boat safely and make practical use of his riverfront property, particularly given the reported wave action near the ferry terminal. The revised 16m plan is smaller than his original proposal, and the nearby 21.05m pontoon suggests larger structures are already permitted in the area.
The case against
Fitzgerald can reasonably argue that a 16m pontoon is excessive for the site, especially when it would be substantially longer than her own despite her property having more river frontage. If it restricts her access or use of the river, the council should weigh that impact and the fairness of allowing one owner a structure that may affect neighbouring riverfront properties.
Explained simply
New Farm is a riverside neighbourhood in Brisbane where some homes have private pontoons for mooring boats. Building a pontoon requires approval, and proposals can raise questions about how much of the river frontage one property should use.
Cameron Massie is a property developer seeking approval for a pontoon outside his home. His neighbour Theresa Fitzgerald has objected, saying the proposed structure is large compared with her own pontoon and could restrict her use of the river.
The dispute is part of a wider issue for riverside property owners: how to balance private access for boats with the interests of neighbouring residents. A state agency has approved the revised proposal, while Brisbane City Council still has to make the final decision.