Council investigates non-compliant Teneriffe engine room construction

The Brisbane City Council is investigating the controversial redevelopment of the Teneriffe engine room into a restaurant, following claims court-approved plans had not been adhered to.

The Planning and Environment Court-approved plans, seen by Fairfax Media, came after a lengthy appeals process and had the kitchen exhaust located at the service area at the Macquarie Street side of the building.

Work on the building was well-advanced and, instead, a large exhaust chimney has been installed on the building's northern aspect.

That addition had dramatically changed the engine room's roofline.

Neighbour Ken Hoy, the secretary of the Teneriffe Progress Association, said the exhaust vent not only ruined the building's aesthetic value, but it would also result in odours wafting into his and other neighbours' properties.

Mr Hoy conceded his opposition could be viewed by some as an example of "not in my backyard", but he insisted that was not the case.

"NIMBY-wise, there's absolutely no problem with that being used," he said.

"In fact, we were wanting it to be used. There's no argument that people can make to say 'NIMBY NIMBY' because we're very happy to have it, even as a cafe.

"But a 60-seat licensed restaurant in that little park?

"Bear in mind that council refused to allow the rebuilding of the summer house in New Farm Park and that's a huge park and was an existing restaurant."

Council infrastructure chairman Amanda Cooper said the builder contracted by the council was required to undertake construction of the engine room cafe in accordance with the court-approved plans.

"Some concerns have been raised by a local resident that construction is not occurring in line with the plans and council is currently investigating these claims," she said.

"The completed cafe will meet plan requirements, which include noise and odour mitigation measures."

Mr Hoy said the TPA's fight against the restaurant was not over.

"We are in the process of drafting a letter to the court to point out what's going on," he said.

The lease to run the cafe was awarded to businessman Hom Pyashi, who pledged to donate 10 per cent of profits to his little-known Nepalese charity Uniting Hands Foundation Australia.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk had earlier insisted the lease would be awarded to a not-for-profit "social enterprise".