CLIVE’S HIGH HOPES
PALMER EYES AQUARIUS PENTHOUSE FOR CITY HQ
CLIVE Palmer is stepping up his search for a Townsville site for new headquarters to oversee his planned re- opening of the Yabulu nickel refinery.
Palmer confirmed last week he had bought an apartment in Mitchell St and has now been linked with the penthouse floor of the Aquarius building on The Strand. Mr Palmer is understood to be considering buying level 14 of the building to use as his office headquarters in Townsville.
However, there have been calls for Mr Palmer to pay former Queensland Nickel workers their entitlements first.
THE loo with Townsville’s best view could soon be Clive Palmer’s.
Mr Palmer, who last week contracted to buy a $ 3 million Townsville apartment as a family home, has been spotted inspecting the penthouse floor of the Aquarius on the Beach hotel.
Anybody inspecting the 14th floor, which was previously used as a restaurant and has been on the market for years, is shown the gents’ lavatory, which has splendid views to Kissing Point from windows above the urinal.
The loo and the adjoining 500 sqm floor plate are another possible property acquisition as Mr Palmer looks for premises for a North Queensland head office as part of his bid to reopen the refinery.
Aquarius property managers confirmed Mr Palmer’s interest.
“Clive was seen in and around the building,” Aquarius general manager Rick Dart said.
“If Clive were interested in establishing the business here, I think it would be good for Townsville for starters and it would be good for the Aquarius as a whole.”
Mr Dart said the loo was one of the first things shown on property inspections.
Mr Palmer last week confirmed his purchase of an apartment at 88 Mitchell St and took aim at local Labor MPs and federal MP Cathy O’Toole, saying people should demand they support his reopening of the nickel refinery, closed in 2016 with debts of more than $ 300 million.
Yesterday, local Labor MPs said they had no problem with Mr Palmer reopening the refinery provided he first paid the debts of his refinery.
“If Clive Palmer has money to reopen the nickel refinery, he also has money to pay workers the outstanding ( en- titlements) he owes them,” Ms O’Toole said.
“I spoke to a man with a young family last week. He is owed $ 25,000. I welcome the jobs, absolutely, but pay your debts as well.”
State Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said he wanted to see the refinery’s debts and legal issues cleared before it was reopened.
“There are still a large number of people owed money, particularly small mum and dad businesses,” he said.
Agents Colliers declined to comment on the Aquarius site but it is understood no contract has been signed for the property, which is listed at a price of $ 870,000 and would require significant further investment to convert for office use.
An online listing for the property says it offers “views to Cleveland Bay and Magnetic Island, the Palm Island Group, Port of Townsville, Breakwater Marina and back to Castle Hill”.