Southport casino protest heats up with spotlight on council’s role in approval

SOUTHPORT MP Rob Molhoek reckons Surfers Paradise should be the site if the State Government approves a global tourism hub. So how have residents reacted?

SOUTHPORT residents are ready to rally against council if councillors backflip and support a proposed casino in Southport.

In a report in The Gold Coast Bulletin today, Southport MP Rob Molhoek warned the State Government that a second casino on the Coast in Southport risks entertainment and tourism hub Surfers Paradise being left “stranded” — and it would kill off the visitor capital.

Mr Molhoek wants the CBD to be developed as a health and education sector with a legal precinct. It could become a “bedroom” suburb for inner city living but not adult entertainment centre.

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Protest organiser Eddy Sarroff. Picture Mike Batterham

Former city councillor Eddy Sarroff, a Southport resident, on behalf of a community protest group, wrote to Mr Molhoek today to halt the push for public land at Carey Park to be used for a casino-resort.

The site is expected to be a favourite when the Government later this year calls expressions of interest for a global tourism hub.

Mr Sarroff, aware of Mr Molhoek’s opposition to the public land being used and Southport as a location, urged him to “voice our concerns in the Queensland parliament and endorse the council resolution” in October last year which withdrew support for development in Carey Park.

“Your opposition to the integrated resort in Carey Park and on adjacent public land including the (Southport) Bowls Club which was initially proposed by Mayor Tate has been appreciated by the local residents and I encourage you to point out to the State Government that the community has already voiced their concerns through the large public rally that was held at that time,” Mr Sarroff wrote.

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LNP MP Rob Molhoek and ALP MP Kate Jones, Budget lock up, Parliament House Annex, Brisbane. Photographer: Liam Kidston

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Mr Sarroff told the Bulletin many residents were angry and confused about the casino bid.

He revealed several residents had urged him to stage a protest at this week’s full council meeting if councillors looked to reverse their current policy position.

After last year’s community protest campaign, Cr Tate wrote to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in November to indicate council had withdrawn its support for the Carey Park parcel of land next to Queen Street and Marine Parade.

But Cr Tate supported the Government’s move to go to expressions of interest on “privately owned land elsewhere” in the city.

“The City strongly endorses this initiative,” he wrote.

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Aerial view of Carey Park at Southport, one of the sites proposed for a new casino for the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Mr Sarroff called for more transparency from the council and for it to voice opposition to any move to support another casino in Southport.

“Why isn’t council standing up to the State Government. There is confusion out there. Why is this issue back on,” Mr Sarroff said.

“(Councillor) Dawn Crichlow is the only one to stand up. She is the only one who is commenting. Hence the confusion among residents,”