The Star Gold Coast master plan rivalling Brisbane’s Queens Wharf

IT’S THE billion-dollar plan set to rival Brisbane’s luxurious Queens Wharf right here on the Gold Coast. This is how the Star master plan will benefit the Glitter Strip.

THE Star Entertainment Group’s multi-billion dollar Gold Coast masterplan — now with city council backing — rivals its $3 billion Queen’s Wharf development in Brisbane.

The ambitious scale of the hospitality, gaming and accommodation giant’s vision for its Broadbeach site can be revealed after Gold Coast City Council yesterday endorsed The Star masterplan.

WHEN THE STAR TOWERS WILL BEGIN DEVELOPMENT

A render of The Star Gold Coast masterplan approved by the Gold Coast City Council planning committee for consideration by the full council on Friday.

The island would eventually boast seven towers in total. Construction alone is estimated to employee 2000 jobs. All up, the fully realised Star masterplan would require 6000 jobs to operate and supply, with 50 food, beverage and retail outlets. The site currently employs about 2000.

After the city council gave the masterplan a thumbs up, it now goes to the Attorney-General’s office for further consideration.

In total, it would amount to a $2-3 billion investment and would see a further five towers added to the existing original Star Grand hotel and new Darling luxury suite high-rise.

The next 50-plus storey tower is scheduled to start construction just after next month’s Commonwealth Games in July or August, and already has approval.

CROSS AND GLOFTIS OPEN NINETEEN BAR AT THE STAR

The final four high-rises in the masterplan stand at 52, 54, 65 and 74 storeys.

Inside one of the luxurious suites at The Darling at The Star Gold Coast. Photo: Supplied

The Star CEO Matt Bekier said while Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf integrated resort would be fully operational by 2022, the Gold Coast masterplan would be staged over the next 10 years.

“It is comparable to Queen’s Wharf and that is deliberate because if we look at tourism and the growth opportunity, the way to really make money for Queensland and Australia in general is to extend trip length,” Mr Bekier said of Star’s Gold Coast plans.

Views from The Darling. Photo: Supplied

“Just having Queen’s Wharf on the map and getting people to Brisbane, after two to three days they will move on and we need to find a way to extend the trip length in southeast Queensland.

MEGA-PLANS OF NEW THE STAR REVEALED

“We know tourists, particularly Asian tourists, visit about three places in Australia per trip. We want to make sure two of those three are in southeast Queensland.”

The Star at dusk.

The past two nights, The Star’s new Darling luxury hotel, with its rooftop Nineteen bar and restaurant, has hosted glitzy launches. They mark completion of $850m worth of upgrades to the Grand and The Darling build which includes a new sports bar linking the two.

The Bulletin understands the proposed construction timetable for the five new towers involves one completed every two years through to 2028.

It is also understood The Star is not seeking any change to its “gaming allowance” under its existing licensing agreement as part of the masterplan.

In a statement after the city council thumbs up yesterday, Mr Bekier said it was greatly appreciated.

The official opening of The Darling on the Gold Coast. Pic Tim Marsden

“We now look forward to working with the Queensland State Government through the Attorney-General’s Department on necessary approvals,” he said.

“Our commitment to driving additional substantial economic benefit for the region will be dependent on the market conditions and competitor landscape at the appropriate time,” he added.

MASTERPLAN IN NUMBERS

Once completed in full by 2028:

Seven towers — original Star Grand, The Darling luxury hotel, Tower 1 starting construction later this year, plus four more high-rises

Jobs — 6000 when fully realised to operate and supply, plus 2000 for construction

Outlets — 50 food and beverage, and retail

Rooms — 3000 new hotel rooms and apartment residences across five new towers

Investment — $2-$3 billion ($850m so far, $500m for new Tower 1 plus $300-500m per build for the extra four towers)