John O’Neill, chairman of The Star Entertainment Group and Queensland Airports Ltd gives insights on Gold Coast growth

As he takes the reins at rapidly-growing Queensland Airports Ltd, Star Entertainment Group chairman John O’Neill reveals how he believes light rail, daylight savings and the Olympics bid will shape the Gold Coast’s future.

John O'Neill, chairman of The Star and Qld Airports Ltd, at the new Airport hotel site at Coolangatta. Picture: Jerad Williams

THE Star Entertainment Group chairman John O’Neill will wear two hard hats in the next three years.

As well as overseeing the casino giant’s $9 billion investment pipeline in its properties at Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney, the $370m redevelopment of Gold Coast Airport is on his itinerary as newly-minted chairman of privately-listed Queensland Airports Ltd.

QAL, which oversees Gold Coast, Townsville, Longreach and Mount Isa airports, announced this week that Mr O’Neill would replace Nigel Chamier, one-time Gold Coast Commonwealth Games chairman, who has been filling in since December.

While QAL’s shareholders are less likely than those of The Star to grill the chairman about the quality of the coffee served or cost of counter meals, they will expect him to deliver returns on their hefty investments in the group.

Shareholders include West Australia’s billionaire Perron family and Macquarie Group co-founder Allan Moss.

Mr O’Neill said the “building for the future” trajectory of The Star and QAL meant he was well-placed to benefit both.

“Clearly I have two hats, there’s a compatibility and a complementary aspect of those two chairmanships and the common purpose is growth and visitation,” he said.

“More people, more tourists, more economic growth and activity, bigger spend and to continue to ensure that the Gold Coast is putting its best foot forward.

“In terms of where to from here, there are no limitations.”

John O'Neill, chairman of The Star and Qld Airports Ltd, at the new Airport hotel site at Coolangatta. Picture: Jerad Williams

$50M GC AIRPORT HOTEL TAKES SHAPE

About 8.5 million people are welcomed through QAL’s four airports into destinations across Queensland and northern NSW each year.

Mr O’Neill, who has been chairman of The Star Entertainment Group since 2012, has also been CEO of The State Bank of NSW, The Australian Rugby Union and The Football Federation of Australia.

He said the extension of light rail to the airport was vital and that daylight savings deserved attention.

Gold Coast Airport is ground zero for the issue, with the runway divided between two time zones for six months of every year.

“It would be preferable if the east coast of Australia was operating in the same time zone all year round,’ he said.

“That’s a practical, common sense preference. Of course there will be opinions to the contrary.

“I don’t want to overstep my reach in asking if is there a way that southeast Queensland could retain the same time zone as NSW and Victoria and northern Queensland could not embrace daylight saving.

“I’m not sure what the political nuances are on that.”

The Star has plans to change the Gold Coast skyline with its new towers.

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Mr O’Neill stopped short of saying it should be a State Election issue.

“It’s an unusual circumstance and it’s delicate and I presume emotions still run high on the subject,” he said.

“I’m not sure what sort of political capital would be used up in attempting to make a change.”

The dual-chairman also weighed in on Brisbane’s Olympic bid, agreeing with some city leaders including Mayor Tom Tate that it would work better as a Queensland bid instead of focusing on the state’s capital.

“It would be another catalyst for accelerating further infrastructure around the light rail and also significant improvements to the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast,” he said.

“There’s a lot of very good sporting infrastructure already on the Gold Coast, which makes it a good location for Olympic events.”