The Drift restaurant in Brisbane was badly damaged in the recent floods, torn from its mooring, and pushed onto a nearby bike path and walkway in the extreme weather.
The restaurant, which was also badly damaged in the 2011 floods, has been disrupting traffic flow for the last month, cutting into the road and blocking walking paths.
Today, works began to remove the huge structure.
“I think everyone is glad to see work start and I just want to thank Maritime Safety Queensland for getting in and dealing with a really tough job,” Transport Minister Mark Bailey said.
A pontoon crane on the Brisbane River is assembling another larger crane, which will be used to move the structure.
The restaurant will then be stabilised and placed on a large barge, which will travel down the river.
The owner of the restaurant told 9News he will be taking the state government to court over the removal of the restaurant.
He said he has also sent Mr Bailey a letter detailing a list of concerns.
“I am currently seeking legal advice regarding the destruction of my asset worth $6.5 million,” the letter said.
“If your action proceeds to destroy Drift I will be compelled to seek justice in this matter.
“I will pursue all avenues of compensation.”
Mr Bailey said moving the restaurant was in the best interest of the public.
“We’ve got to protect the public and we have to open this transport infrastructure.”
Works to remove the structure are predicted to take a week.
The cycle path will be opened as soon as the restaurant is stabilised.
It is unknown what the cost of the removal, funded by the state government will be.
