Owing to his vivid imagination, our Shipping Reporter ,has advanced the theory that The Pier, Townsville's long closed glass- walled restaurant , overlooking the breakwater marina , is being converted into an underwater observatory like the one built in 1954 by Vince Vlassof and Lloyd Grigg on Green Island, off Cairns .
He bases this wild suggestion on the fact that a large pontoon is tied to the building, which could be used by a diver .
The Pier, known as the Barge Inn years ago, badly damaged by fire in 1985, was rebuit, then hit by Covid, closed . Situated opposite the Magnetic Island ferry terminal , it was put up for sale .
The new owners announced plans to convert the building into short term acommodation , which has resulted in major gutting of the interior , removal of the decking .
Another long closed waterfront building of note, the Criterion Hotel , is sporting an under contract sign .
