PUB PLANS FALL FLAT
INSURANCE DISPUTE KEEPS THE GREAT NORTHERN ON ICE
ONE of Townsville’s most charming and historic hotels is languishing, unable to reopen, in a continuing dispute between its owner and insurer four years after it was damaged by fire. Owner and Townsville builder Adrian Gabrielli said he was hamstrung, unable to re-open the heritage-listed Great Northern Hotel, until the dispute was settled and the building restored.
People who saw the shoot hoped it meant the pub finally was reopening since it was damaged by fire on May 15, 2015.
Insurer QBE says it has been trying to reach a satisfactory resolution.
But Mr Gabrielli said the dispute looked headed for court, possibly later this year.
“We are hamstrung. We’d love to see it going again,” Mr Gabrielli said.
It is understood the dispute centres on whether the damage triggers requirements to upgrade the property to meet current building codes and the liability that entails.
Managing director of Townsville property firm Colliers Peter Wheeler said in the unlikely event of fires, people expected to be covered, and that in the aftermath of this year’s floods some insurers had been good, while others had “done their darnedest” not to cover people.
“That’s the thing that gets everybody’s backs up about insurance companies. We pay expensive premiums in this region and when it comes time (to pay) it’s read the fine print,” Mr Wheeler said. The pub was leased to publican Wayne Macdonald when a series of arson attacks, including the Great Northern, occurred in buildings around the city.
Mr Macdonald said it was frustrating one of the city’s “most glorious” pubs remained in limbo.
Many people asked him about the property, wanting to see it reopened, he said.
“If we didn’t have the fire, we wouldn’t be in this problem. It’s very frustrating,” Mr Macdonald said.
The pub is considered a symbol of tropical Townsville, a fine example of a two-storey brick and timber hotel with elaborate cast-iron decorative detailing on its verandas.
NRL producer Tim Martin, who shot scenes for the ad in its large horseshoe-shaped public bar, said it made for a fantastic set.
“It was everything we needed. It’s a shame it’s in the predicament it is,” Mr Martin said.
Insurer QBE, which in 2016 had said they were “very keen” to resolve the claim, yesterday said they were having ongoing discussions to try to reach a satisfactory resolution.