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Billionaire Clive Palmer was allowed to park his superyacht in one of the city’s best Riverfire viewing positions because it was too big to fit in the area set aside for recreational boats, according to Maritime Safety Queensland.
The $40 million Italian-built “Australia” – which flies under the Maltese flag – features a jacuzzi, two sundecks, and multiple bars across 56 metres.
It was attached to a buoy between the Story Bridge and Kangaroo Bridge just after 10am, Monday in preparation for the weekend event.
Superyacht ‘Australia’, which flies the Maltese flag and is owned by mining magnate Clive Palmer, has docked in a prime location ahead of this weekend’s Riverfire display.Credit: William Davis
The spot is among the best areas in Brisbane to watch the fireworks and aircraft display, with both bridges in view.
Maps seen by this masthead show the area was previously set aside for recreational boat owners, but has been recategorised for commercial vessels.
Recreational boats will now be on the other side of the Kangaroo Point Bridge.
The move prompted fierce backlash from multiple recreational boat owners, who suspected underhanded dealings to benefit the billionaire.
Maritime Safety Queensland, however, said this was incorrect. Palmer’s boat is not registered as a commercial vessel and has only been allowed in the spot because of its size.
The Brisbane Festival website says all recreational boats with a permit to be the river during Riverfire must be under 18 metres long. Palmer’s in 56 metres.
“The vessel registered as Superyacht Australia, is too large to access the recreational anchorage,” a spokesperson for the government body said in a statement.
“[It] is being accommodated in the only area that can safely be used.
“Once it was assessed that the usual superyacht mooring location could be utilised by Superyacht Australia without impacting the commercial vessels, then permission was granted.”
It confirmed Palmer isn’t paying for the prime Riverfire real estate.
The spokesperson added the recreational area had been converted to the commercial area due to the construction of the Kangaroo Point Bridge.
“The location and height of the bridge meant that the previous anchorage area for commercial vessels, adjacent to the Queensland Naval Stores at Kangaroo Point, was no longer practicable for these vessels,” they said.
“These changes were implemented in consultation with Queensland Police Service, Brisbane Festival and River City Ferries.”
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